Posted on 03/31/2006 7:30:34 AM PST by Ellesu
Reverend Jesse Jackson is leading a protest in New Orleans this weekend. He is calling it a "March for the Right to Return, A Protected Vote and Reconstruction."
Jackson says it will be "the most national march since Selma in 1965."
Jackson has been among civil rights activists calling for increased measures to give evacuees the opportunity to vote in the April 22nd New Orleans elections. He has also been outspoken about the response to Hurricane Katrina and difficulties evacuees face in coming back to New Orleans and rebuilding their homes.
Some of the others participating in the rally and march are Bill Cosby, Harry Belafonte, Reverend Al Sharpton and NAACP President Bruce Gordon.
Below is the information Jackson's Operation Rainbow Push is releasing on the event:
9:00 a.m. – Noon Rally for the Right to Return, A Protected Vote & Reconstruction Music and speeches by local and nationally known leaders and performers including Bill Cosby, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin Pardners with special guest Brian Stoltz, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Rev. Al Sharpton, Bruce Gordon, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, State Senator Cleo Fields, and others. Food and beverages will be available.
During the rally, governmental and service agencies will be present including FEMA, Red Cross and the City of New Orleans, to help attendees deal with issues and problems. Some area employers will also be taking job applications.
There will be booths to handle absentee voting requests and to provide information regarding the April 22 election.
Noon – 2:00 p.m. March for the Right to Return, A Protected Vote & Reconstruction The march will proceed from the Convention Center parking lot to the Tchoupitoulas ramp of the HOV-Crescent City Connection Bridge, cross the bridge, exit at the Terrytown ramp and end at Oakwood Shopping Center.
BTT
Watching coverage of this rally, their main point is wanting a delay of the Mayor/City elections 3 weeks from now. Voting Right Act being cited, lawsuits threatened, etc...
In the post-Katrina Diaspora, seems that NO is a majority "vanilla" city and Mayor Ray may NOT win re-election unless they have extra time to contact each & every scattered resident, tell them there's an election, get them an absentee ballot, and tell them how to vote.
Or, ideally, they want to set up satellite voting stations in places like Atlanta and Houston so voters can turn out there...by the busload, no doubt...and with the "tombstone lists" handy, no doubt.
Stay tuned.
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.
more here> http://www.wwltv.com
Most national? If it's not, will he promise to go away?
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