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Terrytown Evictions Press Release for 11/2 Event
by sabot
Wednesday, Nov. 02, 2005 at 6:26 AM
bradhorn@email.unc.edu (email address validated) 919-666-6666 666 Derbigny St., Gretna, LA
Press release for 11/2 event featuring 1 p.m. support rally for tenants of the Louisburg Square Apartments facing an eviction hearing at 2 p.m. at General Government Building, 200 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2nd, 2005
WHO: Gretna, Louisiana (New Orleans community) residents facing eviction and a group of their supporters
WHAT: An eviction hearing and support rally
WHEN: Wednesday, November 2nd. Support Rally: 1 p.m. Hearing: 2 p.m.
WHERE: Gretna General Government Building, 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, Louisiana
On Wednesday, November 2nd, several residents of Gretna’s Terrytown will be facing eviction hearings just two months after devastating Hurricane Katrina and its floodwaters swept through the greater New Orleans area. Before the 2 p.m. hearing members of the community, concerned about the timing and the nature of the evictions, will gather in support of those residents. The support rally is scheduled for 1 p.m. Both the hearing and the rally will take place at the Gretna General Government Building at 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna.
“These residents will not allow the only affordable homes available to them to be lost,” said Jeremy Prickett, a coordinator involved with both the New Orleans Housing Emergency Action Team and Common Ground, a community organization formed to help those affected by Katrina. “They have resisted harassment and extra-legal eviction tactics, and we will help them fight this process in the courts. Affordable housing in New Orleans must be defended.”
Story background
As Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco’s emergency freeze on evictions in the New Orleans area lifted last week, landlords throughout New Orleans have begun to serve eviction notices to thousands of tenants.
The residents of Louisburg Square Apartments in the Terrytown section of Gretna are fighting an attempt by the owner of the complex to evict them from their homes. The apartment management claims the evictions stem from non-payment of rent, but residents maintain they attempted to pay rent for September and October but were told to keep their money.
Over the past week the tenants have been complaining of unwarranted visits by members of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office despite the fact the evictions are incomplete and are proceeding in the court system. The owner of the apartment complex, LES Realty Trust, filed eviction orders against the tenants Wednesday, October 26th, with a court date of November 2nd. The tenants have a legal right to remain in their homes until the court orders an eviction or until their lease expires.
Photos and more information: http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2005/10/6066.php
Information on Common Ground Collective: http://www.commongroundrelief.org
Contact:
*Ms. Bertha Dugas, (504) 362-8406, Louisburg Square Tenants Association
*Jeremy Prickett, (510) 316-8825, Common Ground and New Orleans Housing Emergency Action Team (N.O. H.E.A.T.)
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