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December 2, 2008 11:37:53 AM CST

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Big Easy Protest Turns Rough

Posted Dec 20, 07 4:30 PM CST in Politics,  US 

(Newser) – Police used pepper spray and stun guns on protesters in New Orleans attempting to push their way into a City Council meeting over the impending demolition of 4,500 public housing units damaged by Katrina. Local activists oppose HUD's push to raze the houses to make room for mixed-income neighborhoods. "Is this what democracy looks like?" one protester asked the AP.

At the height of the protest, 70 activists faced more than 50 law enforcement officers, but details on arrests and injuries were unclear. Protesters say that the redevelopment projects will shut poor blacks out of the city and that their views were absent in today's council debate. The council approved the demolition.

Source Associated Press

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Protesters fall to the ground as New Orleans Police re-lock a gate outside the New Orleans City Council chambers as the council was holding a meeting about tearing down public housing buildings in New...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans City Council president Arnold Fielkow, right, sits as police gain control of protestors before the New Orleans City Council holds a meeting about tearing down public housing buildings in New...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans police attempt to restrain a man before the New Orleans City Council holds a meeting about tearing down public housing buildings in New Orleans, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. Police used chemical...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans police officers force back dozens of protesters, seeking to halt the demolition of 4,500 public housing units, as they tried to force their way through an iron gate at City Hall Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
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Hurricane Katrina • New Orleans • housing • Housing and Urban Development • public housing


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