Louisiana State Police have started clearing a sizable homeless encampment near New Orleans’ Superdome in preparation for the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts, expected to draw around 150,000 attendees.
In response, progressive city officials have sharply criticized the governor, accusing him of displacing the homeless to cater to concertgoers.
The encampment sweep, approved by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R-La.), has led to the relocation of at least 75 individuals who were living under an expressway about two blocks away, according to Louisiana State Police.
State Police, DOTD and Wildlife & Fisheries are all out under the Pontchartrain Expressway clearing out a homeless encampment before Taylor Swift comes to town.
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) October 23, 2024
People are being moved to a closed-off location near the Smoothie King Center.@FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/kBJc1Tylsk
The announcement was made by Kate Kelly, the governor’s spokeswoman, who described the action as a safety measure for incoming visitors ahead of the major concert, as well as the upcoming Super Bowl in February, which will also be held at the Superdome.
“Governor Landry understands the number one issue facing the city of New Orleans right now is the homelessness crisis, and he is working with LSP and local officials to fix this problem,” Kelly stated. “As we prepare for the city to host Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward when on the world stage.”
City officials criticizing the sweep argue that it disrupts efforts to secure permanent housing for the individuals, even though they were only relocated a few blocks away from their original encampment.
“I am beyond disappointed that this is the way the State is getting involved, rather than partnering in the City’s efforts to house people through Home For Good. People’s livelihood is more important than a concert. I will continue working with our Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, Health Department ,and homeless providers to make meaningful improvements in New Orleanians’ housing,” stated Now Orleans City Councilmember Leslie Harris.
New Orleans city leaders held a press conference on Tuesday to voice criticism of the state’s decision to relocate the city’s largest homeless encampment.
“We are asking the governor to not perform the sweeping of this encampment and other encampments,” stated Nathaniel Fields, the director of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office of Homeless Services and Strategy. “We’re asking them to work with us and be a part of the partnership and not part of the problem.”
While city officials voiced their frustration, local residents have already been feeling anger and frustration over the ongoing homelessness issue in their city.
“I’m concerned about what’s going to happen to the people, but then again I’ve observed what’s going on here and know it has to change,” stated Andy Levin, a local resident residing nearby the encampment. “We need a long-term solution, this is not. But temporarily this camp had to be broken up.”
“When you have this large a concentration of people who are addicted to drugs and mentally ill, they go into the neighborhood. You find them defecating there, doing drugs, having sex, there is a man over there urinating right now. It’s [unsustainable] …and moving these people from the point of view of the community of Central City is necessary,” he added.
