Reconstructing Democracy in the Bayou

Reconstructing Democracy in the Bayou

People’s Freedom Caravan joins spirit and struggle of New Orleans area

The People’s Freedom Caravan joined with the community and survivors of New Orleans to reveal the truth of what is happening and work in solidarity with the people’s efforts for return and reconstruction. The spirit and resilience of the poor and working survivors invigorated and inspired the caravan with their hospitality, their stories, their spirit and their honesty.

Rooted deep in history and struggle, hundreds of freedom riders witnessed the power of people to recreate their lives, rebuild their city, and keep their culture vibrant. From community-run health clinics to organizing immigrant workers to the reoccupation of housing units to celebration with food and music, the caravan continues to build power of numbers to bridge the democracy divide.

A bus load of over 40 members of the caravan, joined with the CJ Peete public housing community in their struggle to return to houses that the government has shut down to keep the poor and African-American community from coming home. In support of their efforts, members cleaned mounds of trash that have been ripped from homes and used as an excuse for preventing residents from returning.

“We want everyone to come back home, fix up our houses, the same ones the they [the government] tore up,” Rosemary, a lifelong resident of this community told the group.

“You never hear about the reality. I saw the power of the community here and I am excited that we could help in some small way,” said Jessie Weahkee, 13, from New Mexico who spent 3 hours hauling furniture, clothes and possessions. Two years ago, it would have been full of families. The work brigade composed of young and old left the housing complex drenched in sweat and dirt but filled with hope and satisfaction.

Others met with migrant day laborers, walked the oldest African-American neighborhood in the country (Treme) and went on a witnessing tour of the lower 9^th Ward. In the spirit of Congo Square, hundreds converged with a refreshing rain, to share stories, lunch and a brass band. It is apparent that the community has reached deep into the profound well of their culture in order to survive.

“Let us come together to overcome the barriers set up to keep us divided. As hurricane season is upon us, we must join together to a just rebuilding and reconstruction of our city. The other U.S. possible, it starts here and it starts with us,” shared Kimberly Richards of the People’s Institute.

The afternoon was spent with families of Liberty Bayou, in Slidell, at a church destroyed by the hurricanes to share in a crab boil. Surrounding the sacred grounds, the group wrapped around an ancient oak several times to join in unity with the community and offer hope and smiles in the face of hardship. As the sun set, the Caravan buses left the bayou towards Jackson to continue building the movement for dignity and justice.