Hurricane Aussies fear for safety(racist attacks on tourists)

The Australian ^ | September 02, 2005 | AAP/News.com.au

[sami_key99]

AUSTRALIANS trapped in flood-ravaged New Orleans are in fear of their lives as the city descends into lawlessness.

Tourists stranded in the US Gulf Coast city and sheltering in its huge Superdome sports stadium in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have told of shootings, rapes and looting, and are growing increasingly concerned for their safety.

More than 50 Australians are believed to be trapped in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

Brisbane man Peter McNeil said his 22-year-old son John was stranded in New Orleans but had now moved with other foreigners out of the Superdome for their own protection.

Violence and racist behaviour had forced the group, including about 10 Australians, to take refuge in a hotel lobby after seeing people raped and murdered, he said.

"It's a real racist issue, apparently, between the locals, and they were segregated, and John said they would stab you as soon as look at you," Mr McNeil told ABC radio.

[sami_key99]

FWIW,an article that mentions a BIT of whats going on re:race.I know the US media won't mention this stuff but it's a reality.

[TXBubba]

I had to turn off the morning show this morning when the "black leaders" were saying that if these folks had been white they would have been out by now. Had to go vomit. I hope there is a special punishment dealt to these folks some day.

[mlc9852]

I just keep thinking how this looks to the rest of the world. A big embarrassment all around.

[BenLurkin]

On the day the Superdome was opened for shelter I saw an interview with three tourists ( a man from Australia and two women from Great Britain).

I wondered then how well they would fair in that situation.

Not well it would appear. I fear they were among the persons raped, assaulted and possible murdered.

[ncountylee]

Australians...we are ashamed.

[jdm]

Welcome to FR, but this isn't breaking news.

[angkor]

"It's a real racist issue, apparently, between the locals

In other words, black thugs are attacking the small number of vulnerable white refugees.

[Rutles4Ever]

The stories we're going to here over the next week or so are going to be tough to swallow. We've seen an evil of nature, followed by an evil of humanity.

Horrifying.

[finnman69]

I would counter that if the mayor of NO was of the 'Italian persuasion', it would be a different situation in NO.

[My Favorite Headache]

According to Jesse Jackson last night, these stories are not true and have been blown out of proportion.Of course he would know this because he is down there with the EMS,National Guard,N.O. cops,and his fellow brothers and sisters trying to save lives and control the chaos in the last 5 days......oh...wait...sorry...nevermind.

My question is when JJ arrives today after half of the people have been bused out of town and the safety of the city becomes under more and more control...which hotel is he going to stay at and how many cameras is he going to have with him?

Inquiring minds want to know? Or will he be the false camera hog that he is and come in for a few hours,do a hit and run on Bush and give his N.O. Mayor a free pass and the La.Gov. a free pass since they share the (D)= for Disaster, next to his name?

[Churchillspirit]

racist attacks on tourists

Way to go guys. Bite the hand that feeds you.

[The Westerner]

Murders, rapes, and terror is not breaking news? This is the only clear account I've heard of what is really going on in that place.

[Trust but Verify]

A big embarrassment all around.

Yep.

[prairiebreeze]

From the article: The 22-year-old, of Castlereagh in Sydney, last contacted her family on Tuesday from New Orleans after arriving in the city by train in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Scratching head....who in blazes goes into a devastation zone immediately after the thing strikes? And how did a train get into NO?

[Last Dakotan]

...but this isn't breaking news.

I disagree and disdain self-appointed moderators.

[Inwoodian]

Race relations have been set back a decade, I fear. TV is filled with images of white people helping black people and the answer is to shoot at rescue helicopters, loot stores and rape children. And ,prior to Katrina, I found race relations in New Orleans to be better than up north.

[slapshot]

If these hotels kicked them out and put them in an unsafe situation, big time lawsuits are coming down

[slapshot]

If these hotels kicked them out and put them in an unsafe situation, big time lawsuits are coming down

[mikegi]

Australians sure are ignorant. This wasn't a racist attack. It's just 400 years of oppression finding an outlet. Did they not get the memo???

[af_vet_1981]

I figured many of the rapes were racist attacks, just like in prison.