Black Activists (Project 21) Support Judge's Ruling to Hold New Orleans Elections on Time

Black Activists Support Judge's Ruling to Hold New Orleans Elections on Time
Fri Mar 31, 5:26 PM ET

Contact: David Almasi of Project 21, 202-543-4110 ext. 11 or Project21@nationalcenter.org

WASHINGTON, March 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As the Reverend Jesse Jackson and others prepare to march in opposition to scheduled city government elections in New Orleans, members of the black leadership network Project 21 are supportive of a New Orleans- based federal judge's ruling clearing the way for voting to be held on and leading up to April 22.

In his March 27 ruling, U.S. District Court judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle acknowledged inherent difficulties in holding the election so soon after the chaos and displacement caused by Hurricane Katrina, but also stressed it is necessary for the elections to take place on schedule. To accommodate New Orleans voters displaced by Hurricane Katrina, voting stations will be set up across the state of Louisiana with extended voting schedules. Additionally, many thousands of residents have already requested absentee ballots. To stimulate interest in the election, the state paid for informational television and radio ads in areas with large numbers of the displaced. Candidates are also campaigning and debated in cities such as Atlanta and Houston.

Reverend Jackson, the NAACP and other groups are questioning the legitimacy of the election in advance of voting and pushing for additional relaxation of regular voting rules such as absentee voting for brand-new voters and out-of-state voting centers. They allege the election is a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

While citing that the voting process would not be without problems, Judge Lamelle, a black man appointed by President Bill Clinton who himself was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, said, "we have a burning desire for wholesomeness, completeness, normalcy." Additionally, on-time elections are supported by New Orleans City Council president Oliver M. Thomas, Jr., who is also black.

Project 21 members support the ruling of Judge Lamelle and criticize the Reverend Jackson and his allies for trying to create racial unrest during a difficult time, and do not rule out the notion that these protests are driven more by political interests than virtuous concern for the electoral process.

"The victims of Hurricane Katrina cross every color, creed and economic and social line, but Jackson and his supporters are taking their poisonous race-baiting to a new level of political grandstanding and potential vote-herding," said Project 21 member Kevin Martin, who helped with initial Katrina clean-up efforts. "Sadly, many of those planning to march are using the race of those displaced by Hurricane Katrina as a means of remaining politically relevant."

Project 21 member Gregory Parker, a county commissioner in Comal County, Texas, notes that many of the displaced in his area now have no desire to return to the Gulf Coast. He is concerned the movement to put off a vote in New Orleans may be motivated more by the goal of some politicians to retain power in the face of voter anger. Parker said: "It appears to me that the current leadership of New Orleans has failed and now wish to shift, redirect or mask blame and guilt under a cloak of racism. I can understand their desire to make the situation right and correct their mistakes by staying in power, but that means they need to acknowledge they made a mistake and stop passing the buck."

"One could argue that Jesse Jackson and others are not as interested in the displaced as a whole as much as those who fit into the right category to create the 'chocolate city' current New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin promised back in January," said Project 21 member Mychal Massie. "It seems that these protests are more about maintaining the status quo that created much of the chaos of last year than protecting voting rights."

Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice in the black community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at 202-543-4110 ext. 11, email Project21@nationalcenter.org or visit Project 21's website at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.

Jackson, Sharpton Rally for La. Voters
By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer
11 minutes ago

Entertainer Bill Cosby slips on a Dilliard University t-shirt before speakiing to a rally in New Orleans Saturday April 1, 2006. The rally led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, is being held at the convention center where evacuees from Hurricane Katrina gathered without food or water shortly after the storm flooded the city. The protesters are seeking attention for disenfranchised evacuees. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

NEW ORLEANS - Hundreds of protesters led by the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton rallied Saturday, demanding the right of all displaced New Orleans residents to vote after Hurricane Katrina.

The system set up for the April 22 election for mayor and other city positions makes it difficult for displaced voters to cast a ballot, Jackson and other activists said.

"We want the Voting Rights Act," Jackson said at a news conference before the rally. Black leaders have argued city elections could violate the landmark 1965 law.

The city election could have a broad effect nationwide, Sharpton said: "What happens in New Orleans will affect voting rights all over the United States."

Jackson and other activists are demanding satellite polling places for displaced voters in cities outside New Orleans, and even outside Louisiana. Fewer than half of the city's 460,000 residents have returned since the Aug. 29 storm flooded the city.

Activists also urged the release of updated lists of displaced voter addresses, a request the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied, saying it would breach privacy.

About 2,000 people attended the rally and march, said New Orleans police Capt. Juan Quinton.

The rally was held at the convention center, site of some of the most vivid scenes of desperation out of Hurricane Katrina. It included state and federal lawmakers and comedian Bill Cosby, who urged residents to rebuild without the murders and drug dealing that plagued New Orleans before the storm.

"It's painful that we can't heal ourselves unless we cleanse the wounds," Cosby said.

After the rally, protesters marched across a Mississippi River bridge where residents trying to leave the city after Katrina were turned back.

A lawsuit filed by two state legislators claims police in the city of Gretna used excessive force when refusing to let fleeing evacuees cross. State prosecutors are also investigating allegations of civil rights violations.

Gretna officials continue to defend the decision, saying they lacked the resources to feed or shelter evacuees and could not ensure their safety because of hurricane damage.

"The symbolism of crossing the bridge is dead wrong, mainly because of the conditions after the storm," Gretna Mayor Ronnie Harris said. "They're marching to an area to that had nothing to offer."

Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, flanked by former New Orleans Mayor and President of the Urban League Marc Morial, left, and Rev. Jesse Jackson at a rally in New Orleans Saturday April 1, 2006. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Entertainer Bill Cosby, left speaks at a rally in New Orleans Saturday April 1, 2006. The protesters are seeking attention for disenfranchised evacuees and is being led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Joining Cosby is Al Sharpton, center, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Kenner is voting today with a good turnout expected.........

50 to 60 pct. Kenner turnout forecast
Strong interest in Kenner's municipal elections likely will draw 50 percent to 60 percent of the city's voters to the polls today, officials said.
On the first Jefferson Parish ballot since Hurricane Katrina are races for Kenner mayor, police chief and all seven City Council seats, as well as a Metairie-based seat on the Jefferson Parish School Board and a judicial election covering a district from south Kenner to Marrero.
The School Board and judicial races are special elections to fill vacant seats. Kenner's races, however, are a regular installment in the city's quadrennial election cycle and are the first affected by a term-limit provision that voters approved in 1995, raising interest among candidates and voters alike.
[end snip]

Hasn't William Jefferson been indicted now?

Court issues grand jury subpoenas in probe of La. Congressman
April 3, 2006

Reverend Jesse Jackson (C) holds his fist up as congressman William Jefferson (L, D-LA) and reverend Al Sharpton (R) look on during a march for the voting rights of displaced residents over the Crescent City Connection bridge in New Orleans April 1, 2006. Many citizens scattered across the country since Hurricane Katrina may be unable to vote in the city's April 22 mayoral election, according to march organizers. REUTERS/Lee Celano

(AP) -- A U.S. District Court has issued grand jury subpoenas to six aides to Rep. William Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat who has been implicated in a bribery case.

In statements read on the House floor Thursday, the aides notified House Speaker Dennis Hastert that they had been served with grand jury subpoenas for testimony issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The court, located in Alexandria, Va., is set to hand down a sentence to a former aide to Jefferson, Brett Pfeffer, who last January pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy.

Pfeffer, 37, who faces up to 20 years in prison, said a congressman demanded bribes in exchange for his assistance in brokering two African telecommunications deals. Court documents make clear that Jefferson is the accused congressman without specifically naming him.

Jefferson, who has not been charged with a crime, has denied the allegation, saying he has never demanded or accepted anything to perform a service for which he was elected.

Jefferson represents parts of New Orleans that were hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.

The six staff members-a district manager, a legislative assistant and four congressional aides-said in their statements that they had consulted with the Office of General Counsel and determined that compliance with the subpoena "is consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House."

http://www.louisianaweekly.com/weekly/news/articlegate.pl?20060403e

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