Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

NewOrleansLA

By staff

Protesters gather in front of the mayor's house to listen to speeches.

New Orleans, LA – On July 1, a group of 60 activists and community members marched to Mayor Latoya Cantrell's home demanding that she take action to defend reproductive rights. The speakers emphasized the need for New Orleans to bar Louisiana State Police from enforcing abortion bans.

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By J Martel

Rally in solidarity with youth uprising at Bridge City Center.

New Orleans, LA – On the afternoon of June 18, New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police (NOCOP) and about 15 community members from Orleans and Jefferson Parish held a rally in solidarity with the youth imprisoned at Bridge City Center. For over an hour, the group held signs and banners and led chants in a loud show of support for the youth.

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By Quest Riggs

New Orleans, LA – On June 24 New Orleanians learned with the rest of the country that the Republican-dominated Supreme Court released its decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. This put into effect Louisiana’s trigger law, which bans all abortions, with no exceptions for rape or incest. This trigger law was signed in 2006 by Democrat Governor Kathleen Blanco, and it was updated on June 21 by Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards.

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By Jennifer Lin

New Orleans protest against attacks on abortion rights.

New Orleans, LA – On May 7, over 100 people gathered on the steps across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter to fight for reproductive rights. The event was organized in response to a leaked draft decision from the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Protesters carried signs and banners and raised their fists to chants of “Abortion is healthcare!” “We won’t go back!” and “Not the church, not the state! People must decide their fate!”

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By J Martel

Protesters gather in front of U.S.Fifth Circuit Courthouse.

New Orleans, LA – Over 300 people protested outside of New Orleans’ Fifth Circuit Courthouse on May 3 in response to the leaked SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The crowd opposed the political repression of bodily autonomy, and demanded right to access comprehensive reproductive care.

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By staff

Speaker takes the microphone at Benito Juárez monument.

New Orleans, LA – Community members gathered with activist and immigrant rights organizations at the Benito Juarez monument in New Orleans on May 1, to celebrate International Workers Day.

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By staff

Starbucks union organizers outside their store.

New Orleans, LA – On Tuesday, April 19, baristas at the Starbucks café on Maple Street filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. Workers complain about chronic understaffing, few hours and low wages. Poor scheduling was especially hard on the employees during Mardi Gras, when the New Orleans tourism industry is at its peak. Fight Back! interviewed Billie, a shift supervisor and organizer of the union drive. Billie’s last name is not being used due to concerns about company retaliation.

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By Quest Riggs

Youth lead 250-person march under banner that says “Hear us! See us! Trans Right

New Orleans, LA – Around 250 community members gathered at New Orleans City Hall, March 25, to forcefully voice their opposition to a string of legislation introduced by Louisiana Republicans in recent weeks. This includes bills that would restrict trans minors’ access to healthcare, their ability to participate in school sports, and could criminalize LGBTQ+ students and educators for being “out” in Louisiana schools.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

Jin Xin

New Orleans, LA – This year, transgender star and People’s Liberation Army veteran Jin Xing announced the re-launch of her talk show. It aired from 2015 to 2017 as the most-watched show in China. With 100 million viewers, Jin was the world’s most popular trans celebrity. Her rise to fame foretells the Chinese people’s rise against transphobia.

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By Sebastian Miscenich

Demonstrators marched to the Hale-Boggs Federal Building under a banner saying "

New Orleans, LA – Anti-war protesters gathered on February 5 in New Orleans at Lafayette Square Park to demand an end to NATO aggression against Russia. Activists carried signs and chanted slogans calling for peace and the disbandment of NATO.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

Forum speakers from Texas and Louisiana discuss abortion and trans rights.

New Orleans, LA – On December 11, people from Texas and Louisiana came together to discuss recent attacks on reproductive freedom and transgender rights. They held an in-person forum at the New Orleans First Unitarian Universalist Church, with virtual attendance through Zoom and social media.

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By Antonia Mar

New Orleans, LA – On November 20 at noon, a crowd of 50 New Orleanians gathered in front of City Hall to rally in solidarity with the people of Kenosha, and to protest the unjust acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse.

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By Quest Riggs

Participants in Trans March of Resilience march through downtown New Orleans.

New Orleans, LA – On November 19, over 100 trans activists and their friends defiantly gathered at New Orleans City Hall. On the day recognized nationally as Trans Day of Remembrance, their fourth annual Trans March of Resilience emphasized the struggles that trans people face to survive.

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By staff

Speakers push resolution on gender-affirming IDs in front of City Council.

New Orleans, LA – On November 4, the New Orleans city council voted unanimously to endorse accessible name and gender marker changes on IDs. Their resolution doesn’t carry legal weight, but it pressures the Louisiana state government to make its ID change process accessible.

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By staff

New Orleans, LA – After Hurricane Ida made landfall in south Louisiana, around 1 million people lost electricity and suffered sweltering heat for days. Even a full week after the storm, many are relying on community members and limited government aid to get by without power. Unsurprisingly, many started to look towards the private utility monopoly, Entergy.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

FRSO relief organizer distributes supplies at St. Roch Park.

New Orleans, LA – As the recovery from Hurricane Ida drags on, residents of southeast Louisiana rush their relief efforts. But government aid lags. Entergy, the state’s power monopoly, has not answered questions about mismanagement.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

Hurricane Ida.

New Orleans, LA – On August 29, at 11:55 a.m., Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Louisiana coast. The storm arrived on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Like then, working class, Black, and indigenous Louisianans are least able to evacuate and suffer the most damages.

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By Quest Riggs

Protesters against U.S. wars  march through the French Quarter.

New Orleans, LA – On August 21, around 30 community members gathered in opposition to the U.S. government’s role in fueling crises around the world. They met at the historic Congo Square in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

Protesters take to the streets to oppose the trans sports ban.

New Orleans, LA – On July 11, 50 protesters took to the streets to fight back against Louisiana’s possible ban on transgender kids playing sports. Unexpected heavy rains drenched them soon after they started walking.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

Nath Clarke speaks at rally for climate justice

New Orleans, LA – Communist, working-class organizer Nath Clarke passed away at age 22 on Monday, May 31, 2021. Our communities and progressive movements suffered a tremendous loss with their death. We grieve them with incredible regret, and celebrate their life with gratitude, love and admiration.

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