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9 Arrested in Action to Reopen New Orleans Public Housing
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
The reopening of the Lafitte today was a response to the policies of HUD which have left the Lafitte closed to residents. The development was not badly damaged by Katrina or the subsequent flood.
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At 2pm today Gregory “DJ” Christy, a resident of the Lafitte housing development, joined by more than 70 supporters entered his apartment with the intention of reoccupying it for the first time since August 2005. 9 supporters of Christy were arrested in the attempt to reopen public housing. All 9 have been bailed out of the Orleans Parish Prison.
The reopening of the Lafitte today was a response to the policies of HUD which have left the Lafitte closed to residents. The development was not badly damaged by Katrina or the subsequent flood.
Ready to live in his home, Christy and supporters came stocked with water and cleaning supplies. Christy and a group of seven supporters occupied his apartment for over an hour in the sweltering heat as Housing Authority police and city police deliberated on whether to arrest them and how to respond to the opening of the unit.
Christy’s apartment was opened by a group of activists including C3/Hands Off Iberville, the United Front for Affordable Housing, and other community activists. Legal observers from the Common Ground Collective were onsite to monitor the police response. Using a ladder to scale to the second floor window, the activists climbed in, walked downstairs into Christy’s unit, and opened the heavy steel door from the inside.
After the door was removed Christy entered his apartment along with several more supporters. Housing Authority police were on the scene when the door fell. City police arrived shortly after preventing others from entering or leaving the apartment. While these 7 were occupying the apartment more than 70 supporters rallied outside.
Two activists, Jay Arena of the United Front for Affordable Housing and an unidentified community organizer were arrested outside of the apartment. It is believed that they will be charged with trespassing.
After more than an hour the police decided to arrest everyone in Christy’s apartment. Christy was not arrested himself. After the arrests police sealed off the area and ordered everyone off of the Lafitte property.
Residents and activists have communicated that this will not be the last action to reopen the Lafitte.
Entering the apartment
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
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The Door is Down
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
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Inside the Apartment Supporters Wait
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
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HANO Police Officer Films the Event
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
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Inside DJ's Apartment
by Darwin BondGraham
Monday, Aug. 28, 2006 at 6:26 PM
darwin@riseup.net
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| TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
| Video of The Bust |
Gordon Soderberg |
Friday, Sep. 15, 2006 at 11:21 AM |
| Legal Observers |
g |
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006 at 4:19 PM |
| awesome |
san diego reader |
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006 at 12:04 PM |
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