Mayor Ray Nagins, who failed to mobilize transportation that could have moved thousands out of New Orleans prior to Catrina and Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who failed to move National Guard troops into New Orleans immediately after Catrina, have both failed the city again. This time, they have failed to keep law and order resulting in unpresidented numbers of murders this year. Citizens of this city are angry and Nagins has demurred. According to the AP:
More than 3,000 people marched on City Hall on Thursday, seeking an end to the violence that has claimed nine lives in this struggling city since New Year’s Day.
Mayor Ray Nagin, the object of many marchers’ jeers and protest signs, watched from behind a podium but did not take part in the rally at the behest of organizers.
And finally, Blanco will move to try to improve order in the city.
On Wednesday, Gov. Kathleen Blanco endorsed a plan announced earlier this week to increase patrols and use checkpoints to crack down on criminals. State police and the National Guard have been supplementing city officers since June.
And as for making the city of New Orleans “chocolate” (in the words of Major Nagins):
In a black-majority city where most murder victims have been black, the crowd was predominantly white.
“It’s not about white. It’s not about black. I think now people are realizing that because everybody’s blood is red,” said Keqante Brown, 30, a black woman who said five family members have been murdered in the last 12 years.
Its never about race unless, of course, one is Republican or conservative. I wonder how they plan to blame Bush for this mess that they have created?
