Louisiana

Last Friday in New Orleans’ French Quarter, chants of “Justice for Troy” and “Too much Doubt!  Let him out!” interrupted the early-evening partiers and tourists.



A march, about 100 strong, wound its way through the Quarter, calling for justice for Troy Davis and the abolition of the death penalty.  Davis is scheduled to be executed this Wednesday, September 21st, despite considerable doubt about his guilt. 

 [...Read more]

On August 29, 2011, the 6th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I asked Mr. James Perry to reflect on the significance of the day, and what positive developments he’s seen since the storm. [...Read more]

The Norwood Thompson playground is a gathering place for all ages in Gert Town.  It is a place of fellowship for residents of this New Orleans neighborhood, and provides a break for working mothers to spend time with their children.

But it is also destined and designed as an accident waiting to happen. As you will hear and see from the children and adults who use it, the playground is an environmental health hazard. [...Read more]

Right after Hurricane Katrina, newly homeless New Orleanians gathered on Claiborne Avenue under Interstate 10, and lived under tents and blankets. [...Read more]

The article below orginally appeared in ColorLines earlier this week. A federal jury convicted five current or former New Orleans police officers of civil rights violations. [...Read more]

The article below originally appeared on the New Orleans Tribune/Tribune Talk website last week.  The defense rested its case in the Danziger Bridge police violence trial, insisting the victims [...Read more]

The article below originally appeared on the New Orleans Tribune/Tribune Talk website last week. The prosecution rested its case this week in the Danziger Bridge police violence trial with one final witness testimony, perhaps the most moving. [...Read more]

In the aftermath of BP oil drilling disaster, it seemed that an overwhelming (albeit needed) amount of attention was given to restoring the environment, protecting animals, and the money – always the money.  Very little attention was given to actually providing health care to people impacted by the oil disaster or the response to the disaster. [...Read more]

In the Times Picayune today, Norris Henderson writes about how the Jim Crow-era charter that governs the New Orleans City Council threatens democracy in the city. [...Read more]

By Ariella Cohen, crossposted from The Lens. In January 2002, a mound of powdery chemical catalyst used to make gasoline collapsed on a worker doing routine cleanup at the Marathon Ashland Petroleum refinery in Garyville, La. [...Read more]