mitch landrieu

For many of us, April has been a very challenging month. Looking back from today, this country has seen a resurgence of fear, violence and racism. [...Read more]

Judge Lance Africk is hearing arguments in United States District Court this week regarding a consent decree designed to correct the violent, inhumane, life-threatening conditions at the Orleans Parish Prison (OPP), a jail that an expert witness from a nonprofit criminal justice research and training firm described as the “worst jail I've ever seen.” The parties involved in the court action include [...Read more]

On November 29th, a coalition of over 30 local organizations delivered a petition with more than 2,200 signatures to Mayor Mitch Landrieu, calling for reform of Orleans Parish Prison.  Specifically, the petition demanded that the Mayor formally commit to capping the size of the new facility being built by the Sheriff’s Office at 1,438 beds, and that the City Council end the “per diem” budget system [...Read more]

Press release from Survivors Village. New Orleans -- Survivors Village, a community group of former St. Bernard public housing residents and their allies, joined forces today with recently evicted Occupy NOLA protestors to successfully disrupt a Sheriff’s sale of foreclosed properties. [...Read more]

Condita Duplessis hugs granddaughter Jalinh Vasquez Barthelemy outside their FEMA trailer. Photo: Getty Images/Mario Tama

by Julianne Hing, Colorlines. [...Read more]