Refrain Rises (from leaders of poor, black areas) to Call Off Mardi Gras

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: Refrain Rises to Call Off Next Mardi Gras
It's time to rebuild, not celebrate, say leaders of poor, black areas wiped out by Katrina.

By Scott Gold, Times Staff Writer


NEW ORLEANS — A growing chorus of critics, concerned that throwing a massive party would be unseemly and impractical when much of New Orleans remains in ruins, are pressuring authorities to do the unthinkable: call off Mardi Gras.

City officials and tourism leaders have pledged to use an abbreviated carnival this winter as a springboard, a way to reintroduce New Orleans as a viable city. Their October announcement that Mardi Gras would go on despite Hurricane Katrina met with an enormous cheer.

But many community activists — particularly leaders of poor, black neighborhoods that were destroyed by the floodwaters and have sat virtually untouched since — have turned against the idea.

"We're not against Mardi Gras. We're against their priorities," ChiQuita Simms, a displaced New Orleans resident who is organizing a protest, said of city leaders. "It is not a time … to conduct party planning."...

***

Other community leaders have threatened to launch a petition drive and to put up billboards urging a boycott of the festival if it cannot be derailed....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mardi7dec07,0,2406778.story?coll=la-home-headlines&track=morenews

[shugah]

1. considering the devestation

i have to agree that perhaps canceling mardi gras would be a good idea. i would be thrilled to see the new orleans community come back with a huge and joyous celebration, but if the "spirit" of the city does not factor into the celebration, then it wouldn't really be the party we all hope to see.

just filling up the hotels when so many are still without homes (and not in the mood for a party) - that reasoning seems callous at best.

[AzDar]

2. George W. Bush killed New Orleans. n/t

[Javaman]

3. A golden opportunity is being missed here....

they should hold Mardi Gras. It would generate a lot of income for the city but on top of that, a small sir(sp?) charge should be included on all taxable items that would go to help rebuilding the city. A pay to play sort of thing. Since the feds haven't coughed up their promised money and donations are falling off, this would be a great time reason for people to come, party and help the city.

[slackmaster]

4. Lots of intangible benefits to letting the good times roll too

I agree the city could gain financially from Mardi Gras, but in the long run preservation of its reputation as a fun place to visit may be even more important.

[Tippy]

5. I agree n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

6. That might not be a bad idea, Javaman. I wonder if it could be...

a compromise that could unite the city: Mardi Gras as benefit.

On edit -- maybe you could call Mayor Nagin's office with the idea.

[Javaman]

10. Got Nagin's phone number? I'm serious.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. I don't. I live a long way from N.O. The Mayor's office...

should be listed in the phonebook, and available from information, however, I'd think.

[Javaman]

13. I'll give it a whirl. :) I'll try his email first. :)

[Javaman]

14. here's my email I just sent...

I have heard several reports that many prominent citizens of New Orleans don't think it's right to hold Mardi Gras this coming year.

I see Mardi Gras as a golden opportunity for the city to raise much needed money for the rebuilding effort.

A small sir(sp?) charge should be included on all taxable items that would go to help rebuilding the city. A pay to play sort of thing. Since the feds haven't coughed up their promised money and donations are falling off, this would be a great time and reason for people to come, party and help the city.

Since Mardi Gras already is a celebration, this would turn it into a giant charitable benefit party for the city.

New Orleans needs to return to it's former glory.

Just my two cents.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Excellent! I hope this happens! nt

[KamaAina]

12. Nagin's already leaning in that direction

he's proposed that businesses that profit from Mardi Gras give back 25% of the profits they make to the rebuilding effort.

I'm not sure the city can impose a surtax without asking the Legislature, which already concluded a special session.

Mayor's press office: 504-658-4940

The Bring New Orleans Back commission also has this handy-dandy contact form (but apparently no phone number!):

http://www.bringneworleansback.org/Portals/BringNewOrleansBack/portal.aspx?tabid=29

And finally, thanks for getting involved. Apathy ("Katrina fatigue") is our greatest enemy right now.

[noonwitch]

7. It's a good time for local charities to hit people up for donations, too

My guess is that tourists who go to Mardi Gras are people who are attached to New Orleans on some level. They may be willing to donate money, even if it's just their pocket change (which adds up, just ask the Salvation Army), to help with the rebuilding of poorer neighborhoods. When I'm on vacation in big cities, I'm pretty generous about giving change out to people, I'd be more generous about an official charity organization.

Plus, a lot of them will be very drunk and easily led to donate.

It's important for New Orleans to recover and Mardi Gras is a big part of the economy. Scale it down a little this year, perhaps-the crewes are probably short of money, too.

[BJW]

8. Support the Right of Return!

[triguy46]

9. Where will rich white kids go to party?

What a fitting tribute, "if we don't get drunk on our asses, then the hurricane wins."