INCREASED PERMIT FEES KILLING CULTURE OF SECOND LINES
by Sean Hobbs Friday, Mar. 02, 2007 at 9:46 AM
seanhobbs1@yahoo.com

After violence at Second Line Parades the police decide to raise the parade fees. Because the violence was unrelated to the parades the Second Line clubs ask why this unique cultural tradition should be taxed out of existence.

On Sunday, January 15, 2006 (MLK Jr. Day) one of the largest second line parades in New Orleans history occurred. There were 32 different Social Aid and Pleasure clubs involved in the second line and the event was held in support of affordable housing, decent education, increased jobs, and improved health care. "The ultimate point of the parade was to support people being able to return home and maintain New Orleanian traditions," says Michelle Longino member of the New Orleans Bayou Steppers, "There were thousands of people out that day. People came from out of town. It went very well, it was beautiful. There were three big divisions and as the last division was finishing with Rebirth Brass Band playing-"

Imagine this, the slide of the trombones, the deep, rolling, hoot-hoot of the tuba, the strill screeeeeam of the trumpets and the other worldly boom, thud of the background drum.. this Rebirth of a city and band and culture - sliding its way on in. Rebirth Brass Band may a blessing be unto you! Everything about you is for the child, the soul, the again and re-again and again in everyone of us. Ah, ye second line may ye live!... and at the end of the second line all is passion and exhaustion and the leaves on the trees, the moss hanging off is so much more perfect and New Orleans.

"-everyone was having a great time, just finishing up their dancing. Then someone shot someone else. The shooting had nothing to do with the parade but the message which was conveyed in the media was that second lines equaled violence."

According to The New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force (a Second Line umbrella organization) following the shooting New Orleans Superintendent of Police Warren J. Riley stated in a January 31st, 2006 memorandum that new parading fees would be imposed on second line organizations. Since Riley's statement a near 300% increase in parading fees (from $1,000.00 to $3,750.00) has occurred in the city of New Orleans.

In response to these new parading fees The New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force with the Louisiana ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit against Superintendent Riley, Major Nagin, and Governor Blanco.

Says Ms. Tamara Jackson President of The New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force, "The lawsuit was brought forth because.. the increased permit fees are killing the culture of second lines. So we tried to work out some terms with the superintendent of police, Chief Warren Riley. Chief Riley said his first priority was safety. My argument is that we should keep the city safe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, not just four hours during a Sunday afternoon Second Line. The fees are only placed on the Social Aid and Pleasure Club community and not on other parading organizations, so it appears that this decision is racially motivated."

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