New Orleans, LA – On March 30, Jace Lee Scott's family and supporting activists rallied outside the city council's Criminal Justice Committee hearing. About 15 community members then packed the meeting and made public comments demanding that NOPD officer Victor Gant Jr. be fired for his role in his son Andrew Gant's coverup and killing of Jace.

During public comment on the NOPD's quarterly report, Jace's mother Shanta Scott had her mic abruptly cut and the council cleared the chambers, arresting one activist: Toni Jones of the New Orleans Alliance.

During the course of the five-hour meeting, public comment was repeatedly interrupted by the committee cutting the microphone on Shanta Scott and her supporters.

When commenting on one presentation Scott stated, “My trust has been damaged by NOPD and the criminal court system. Justice is not just a concept, it is something that families must be able to see, feel and experience. And I haven't, due to the corruption of NOPD officer Victor Gant Jr.” Scott continued, “I'm demanding that the city should have a Civilian Police Accountability Council so families like mine can get the proper justice.”

Committee Chairman Freddie King III justified the repeated silencing of community members by saying that the comments on policy, racial discrimination and Gant's abuse of power were not germane to the self-congratulatory progress reports being presented by the city departments.

Twice during the meeting, King left the council chambers and signaled to NOPD officers to physically remove Shanta Scott for her comments. Both times, activists in the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR) stood by her and demanded that she be heard. When NOAARPR chair Toni Jones objected to the second threat to remove Scott, Jones was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and city council.

After the arrest, activists called the Orleans Parish Jail and the city attorney. Toni Jones was released within hours. A press conference was immediately held upon release and those gathered representing NOAARPR, Jace's family, and supporting organizations demanded that the charges be dropped, Victor Gant Jr. be fired and charged, and a Civilian Police Accountability Council be established.

The family will be at the next criminal justice committee hearing on April 27.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #JaceLeeScott #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA — On Tuesday March 31 at 10 a.m., a crowd of about 15 people came out to New Orleans Municipal Court to support activist Toni Jones and demand her charges be dropped. Jones is facing trumped-up charges of disturbing the peace and disrupting city council following an action for Jace Lee Scott at the Criminal Justice Committee (CJC) meeting on Monday March 30.

M. R. Framboise from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke in support of her fellow organizer saying, “This is not only an attack on Toni. It is a government-driven attack on the people of the City of New Orleans and the broad masses of the people at large.”

Framboise continued, “The NOPD and city council have clearly communicated to the community that when the people stand up for themselves, their mics will be truncated; they will be brutalized, and they will be detained.”

Jones, chairwoman of the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR), was defending the right to public comment when she was arrested. Shanta Scott, Jace’s mother, spoke to the CJC Councilmembers Eugene Green and Freddie King III about her son’s murder by Andrew Gant and the cover-up by the New Orleans Police Department. Scott spoke to ask about NOPD policy when an officer’s family member is involved in a murder. As soon as she mentioned the name of NOPD’s crooked cop Victor Gant Jr., Andrew’s father, Councilman Freddie King III cut off Scott’s mic despite her comments remaining entirely germane.

Jones spoke out against the cut mic, insisting to King that Scott’s comments were germane to the discussion on NOPD policy. Instead of responding to Scott’s pleas for answers, Councilmembers Green and King turned their backs on her and left the chambers. New Orleans police then surrounded the crowd of supporters and targeted Jones, putting her in handcuffs and dragging her out of the chambers. NOAARPR quickly released a call-in statement that put pressure on the city attorney and Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office that resulted in her release with no bond.

Jones herself also spoke at the rally, “One of places I go in the search for justice is to the jailhouse, and all I see are people going through unnecessary misery for months, without even having a trial.” Jones referred to the community support that she knew was present from within the jailhouse, saying, “When I was in the jail, I knew that I had all of you with me. My jailers themselves came down to let me know, ‘They support you. They are with you, so don’t even bother taking your medical [exam], you’re going home.’”

Jones concluded, “Even in the places where justice cannot be found, we can build momentum. We can build hope, and we can build the fight for liberation!”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #ToniJones #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On March 5, activists disrupted the New Orleans Criminal Justice Committee meeting to demand New Orleans Police Officer Victor Gant be fired and charged for his role in the coverup of Jace Lee Scott’s murder. Scott was shot and killed by Gant's son, Andrew Gant, in 2019.

Before the meeting, Jace’s mother Shanta Scott and activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and other organizations rallied outside of city hall. Signs read “Justice for Jace Lee Scott,” “Fire NOPD Officer Victor Gant” and “Federal charges for killer Andrew Gant.”

“We are out here today to pack the CJC meeting to demand justice for Jace and justice for all victims of NOPD violence and negligence,” said activist Toni Jones of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Jace Lee Scott was killed on November 24, 2019 by Andrew Gant, who was convicted of “negligent homicide,” thus avoiding a murder charge and prison time. Judge Nandi Campbell awarded Gant with a five-year deferred sentence after his defense argued that Jace was killed while the two were “play fighting.” No physical evidence supported this claim. Shanta Scott has said that Victor Gant's son only avoided prison time due to the actions of his father, who behaved outside of NOPD protocol when he found out about the killing.

Danyelle Christmas, representing the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, spoke to the double standards afforded to NOPD officers stating, “Laws were broken, yet somehow this officer is still allowed to work in city hall and his son is walking free.”

Shanta Scott also made her feelings clear, stating, “I have no trust in the New Orleans Police Department. I have no trust in the system. The whole system is guilty as hell.”

The protest then moved inside to public comment, where Shanta Scott spoke defiantly about Gant's crimes and her demands for justice. In response, city council members complained that Scott spoke longer than the allowed two-minute public comment window and stopped the meeting. The committee members then left the city council chambers and had New Orleans Police Department officers forcibly remove Scott and supporting activists from the chambers.

As Shanta Scott was forced out of the chambers, she continued speaking out against Officer Victor Gant. “He's covering up for murder!” Scott declared. Outside the chambers, she demanded action from the council shouting, “We want an independent investigation! We want CPAC! No more police policing police!”

Shanta and New Orleans Alliance members have stated that they plan to come back into the council chambers to demand justice for Jace on March 30 at 9 a.m.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday afternoon, February 27, the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR) held a panel to discuss the history of police brutality in New Orleans. The panel took place at the Gwangi and Hollywood Community Center in Algiers.

NOAARPR Chair Toni Jones gave a brief history of the rise of policing in the Crescent City, beginning with its origins from slave catchers to the Code Noir during French and Spanish colonial rule.

“Police exist to uphold the ruling power,” she said. Toni cited many historic cases of police brutality throughout the centuries in New Orleans. Members of the community, some of them former Black Panthers who spent much of their lives incarcerated in Angola as political prisoners, affirmed the names and stories of Black residents and freedom fighters past who stood up to police brutality.

“The police are only in our communities not for our security but for our containment,” said Sister Shanta Scott of the People’s Political Party, quoting Huey P. Newton. Jace Lee Scott, her son, was murdered by the son of NOPD officer Victor Gant in 2019. She educated attendees about the murder, NOPD corruption and cover-ups, and the collusion of city officials and court justices. “Justice must be transparent. Justice must be consistent. Justice must be fearless. No more broken protocol, no more selective enforcement, and no more silence. Justice for Jace Lee Scott. That’s my son,” said Scott.

NOAARPR member, Danyelle Christmas shared about her run for city council, which was inspired by the police brutality and political repression against her uncle who was murdered by NOPD, and her father who was falsely convicted for murder in 1994. She spoke about the impacts incarceration had on her family. Her father spent ten years on death row in Angola, and when he was finally acquitted, they offered him $10. A dollar for each year of his life lost in prison. She continued to connect the struggles of the Black community to the exploitation of capitalism, highlighting systemic issues that negatively impact everyone.

“Let’s remember, the KKK is still considered a party, they’re still considered a non-profit, they’re still recognized by the United States. But the Black Panther Party was dismantled,” Christmas said. “We have to rise up.”

The panel was followed by an open forum discussion where members of the community shared their experiences within the prison industrial complex. Errol Williams shared his story, incarcerated for 21 years in Angola. “I don’t want to be oppressed anymore. I know what it's like, I’ve been living it all my life,” he said. “I realized the only ‘equal opportunity’ afforded to me is to die.” Another community member proudly stated that “Black history is world history.”

NOAARPR will hold a rally on March 5 to pack the city council chambers and demand justice for Jace Lee Scott, federal charges against Victor Gant, and a Civilian Police Accountability Council.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #BlackHistoryMonth #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Thursday morning, February 19, members of the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR), alongside other supporters, held a rally outside of city hall to demand accountability from city officials and the New Orleans Police Department.

The rally was originally planned to target the Criminal Justice Committee meeting, where all the city’s policing agencies meet to give reports to the council. But for the second month in a row, city officials have delayed that meeting.

Those present held signs demanding “Community control of the police,” “Justice for Jace,” and “Fire NOPD officer Victor Gant!”

“For the second time in a row, the city has cancelled on us. But we are not going anywhere until justice is done for Jace. Until officer Victor Gant is fired,” said Shanta Scott, mother of Jace Lee Scoot. In front of local news coverage at city hall, she explained the details of her case. Her son Jace was murdered in cold blood by Andrew Gant, the son of NOPD officer Victor Gant Jr., in 2019. Sister Shanta Scott exposed a well-established history of lying, fraud, brutality, corruption and murder by NOPD officers, and collaboration with the district attorney and judges complicit in the coverup of her son’s murder.

Scott and NOAARPR activists demanded the firing of NOPD officer Victor Gant Jr. and homicide detective Rob Barrere. They also demanded federal charges be pressed against Victor Gant Jr. and his son Andrew Gant.

“Andrew Gant needs to be charged with a felony murder charge, not negligent homicide. Not obstruction of justice. This was not an accident!” said Scott.

“We want community control of police, so that this corruption can come to an end,” stated NOAARPR Chair Toni Jones. Jones called out city council for their failure to address the occupation of New Orleans by federal forces waging siege on the city since the anti-immigrant operation Swamp Sweep. Jones also called out New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno for capitulating to the Trump administration’s immigration laws, as a new NOPD policy change will let officers detain people in collaboration with ICE. Officer Victor Gant Jr. has received a promotion, and is now employed by Mayor Moreno.

Anthony Franklin, member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, expressed unwavering support for Scott’s demands, stating, “We stand in solidarity with Sister Shanta,” he said. “Fighting for justice for Jace is part of that struggle, and we will continue to be a thorn in [the city’s] side until we get our demands.”

Scott and NOAARPR plan to rally and submit public comment at the Criminal Justice Meeting rescheduled for March 5, to hold city council accountable, to demand they fire and press federal charges for the officers involved, and to demand a Civilian Police Accountability Council.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #NOAARPR #NAARPR

New Orleans, LA — On February 7, one month after the murder of Renée Nicole Good by ICE, the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the No Trump No Troops Coalition mobilized for a rally at Armstrong Park to continue to stand up against ICE and CBP’s reign of terror.

The rally was called in response to the Legalization for All Network’s Day of Action, demanding justice for all killed by ICE and prosecution of killer cops like Johnathan Ross. The rally also uplifted the demand of legalization for all immigrants.

A crowd of about 40 people rallied around as chants for “No more deportations!” and “¡Chinga la migra!” rang through the park. Consistent protests and noise demonstrations are appearing to be effective – on January 26, Gregory Bovino, the so-called “Commander-at-Large” of the United States Border Patrol was relieved of his Minnesota command by President Trump.

Chris Maldonado of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) spoke out about Bovino’s demotion, exclaiming, “People like Bovino shouldn’t just be allowed to step down; they should be thrown under the jail!”

The Trump administration has wielded ICE terror as a means to silence dissent and instill fear under the guise of law and order. Maldonado continued, “This violence and terror is fundamental to how the billionaire ruling class maintains its order and grows its profits.”

Palestine solidarity activist Sruly Heller of New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) said, “The only law and order that exists in America is the reality of what happens between you and a police officer.”

“We uplift legalization for all as a demand of our movement because no one should be criminalized for migration. Many of our immigrant brothers and sisters from Latin America and elsewhere are fleeing the consequences of U.S. imperialism: sanctions, unlivable wages and super exploitation, or otherwise. All people deserve to live with dignity and respect regardless of their citizenship or ability to work,” said Toni Mar, another member of FRSO.

These rallies show that despite the Trump administration and the ruling class’s efforts to instill fear, people continue to show up and organize.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #ReneeGood #FRSO #L4A #NOAARPR #NAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Monday, February 9, a crowd of supporters gathered for a teach-in at the Gwangi & Hollywood Community Center in Algiers to learn about the Jace Lee Scott case and the campaign for justice.

The teach-in was geared towards educating supporters on exactly how the NOPD mishandled Scott’s murder, so they would be empowered to submit public comments at the upcoming Criminal Justice Committee meeting on February 19, and to rally for justice beforehand at 9 a.m. at City Hall.

Sister Shanta Scott, mother of Jace Lee Scott, recounted the details of the case, beginning with how deeply she loved her son.

“I only had 19 years with Jace. He was a sweet, loving child. A beautiful smile, just an amazing kid,” said Scott. She recalled his passion for music, sports and clothing design.

Scott continued, “They kept Jace’s case quiet because they didn’t want to talk about how it was an NOPD officer’s son who murdered my son. They didn’t want the city to know the corruption in my son’s case.”

Jace Lee Scott was killed on November 24, 2019. The last time Shanta Scott saw her son alive, she said goodbye to him as he went to a recording studio on Southern University’s campus with his so-called friend and soon-to-be killer, Andrew Gant. Hours later, Shanta received a call that Jace had been shot.

“Jace was shot in the neck by Andrew Gant. The police reports say my son and Andrew Gant were ‘horse playing with guns’ but Jace never had a gun. That was the narrative Rob Barrere spun,” said Scott.

Public records requests show that after Jace’s murder, Andrew Gant called his father, NOPD officer Victor Gant. His father instructed Andrew to take off his clothes and put them in a bag, and go home and shower, effectively washing off any evidence. NOPD officer Victor Gant then drove from Covington, Louisiana to meet his son. On the way, he called his longtime friends and fellow detectives in the NOPD.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes #NOAARPR #NAARPR #Featured

New Orleans, LA – On Sunday, January 25, the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression along with the No Trump No Troops Coalition held an emergency rally and march for Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was executed by ICE in the streets of Minneapolis on Saturday. 300 community members and activists rallied at Lafayette Square demanding an end to ICE brutality and kidnappings, and to show support for Minneapolis.

“ICE and CBP have demonstrated over and over again, and with more and more hostility, that they will not change on their own. It is up to us, together, with our movement and our momentum, to make them change. To stop the killing. To stop the raids. To get the hell out!” said JJ Drummond from the New Orleans Alliance.

Matt Ricciardo from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) stated, “We are all Alex Pretti. We are all Renee Good. We are all Renee Good's children who now grow up without a mother.” Renee Good was another victim of ICE brutality in Minneapolis, who was shot and killed in her car January 7. Ricciardo continued, “This is why we fight. When we fight for each other, we fight for ourselves. And when we fight together, we win the future.”

The protesters took to the streets of New Orleans, marching down the crowded Canal Street chanting, “New Orleans ain’t licking boots! No Trump! No Troops!” Onlookers from their hotels cheered for the protesters.

The protesters marched back to Lafayette Square to finish off the rally.

Despite the cold weather and bleak skies, from Minneapolis to New Orleans, people are taking to the streets to firmly stand with the victims of ICE brutality and demand an end to injustice.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #NAARPR #NOAARPR #ICE #KillerICE #AlexPretti #FRSO #Feature

New Orleans, LA – On Monday, January 19, 100 activists and community members marched through the busy streets of New Orleans to commemorate MLK’s long legacy.

The protest was headed by the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR). Demands included an end to deportations and justice for victims of police brutality.

The protest began with a rally at A.L. Davis Park.

“King was taken from us too soon, but his words and deeds were not. We remember King as someone who fought not only to protect peace but to protect the dignity of all working people,” said Toni Jones, chair of NOAARPR. Jones later stated, “His actions are what are worth remembering in trying to change history.”

Mich Gonzales of Sanctuary Now Abolition Project quoted Martin Luther King Jr, saying, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” Gonzales then stated “We, the people of the United States, will not be spoken for by the filthy rich. The working-class people are rising up, and we are done!”

Before taking to the streets, Toni Mar from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) read from MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, finishing with the line “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Mar then said, “We have to heed the call to take to the streets! We will not take one step backwards, we are only going forward!”

As the crowd marched through the streets, chants rang out such as “Cell blocks for crooked cops!” And “No justice! No peace!” Community support was high, with people along the streets chanting along with their fists in the air.

The march concluded in front of a sculpture commemorating MLK Jr. on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Central City.

Rosalina Framboise from Liberate and Unite New Orleans Students for a Democratic Society (LUNO SDS), spoke on the importance of remembering the true legacy of MLK, “This is not just something that we learn about in our classes. This is something we experience right here today in our real lives as we continue to shape history.”

Before the protest was over, the crowd gathered together and repeated Assata Shakur’s famous quote, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and protect one another. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MLKDay #NOAARPR #NAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Sunday evening, January 11, members of the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression held a demonstration in front of the Saint Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter to demand justice for Jace Lee Scott who was murdered by the son of NOPD officer Victor Gant in 2019.

The protest targeted the inauguration of New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno. The event was well secured with barriers. Victor Gant now serves on the mayor’s security team, even though he aided in his son Andrew Gant’s murder case.

Phone records show that after Andrew Gant murdered Jace Scott, he called his father for help. Victor Gant drove to his son instead of calling 911, and was present during his son’s interrogation – a clear conflict of interest. Andrew Gant got off on a negligent homicide charge and never saw a day in jail. The judge overseeing his case, Judge Nandi Campbell, also allowed him to be late on his restitution 14 times and never put him in jail.

“Helena Moreno, do what’s right! Stand with the families, help us fight!” chanted the crowd. In front of numerous NOPD officers and heavily armed National Guard, they chanted “Victor Gant is a crooked cop, we want justice, lock him up!” Some of the officers laughed and bobbed along with the rhythm of the chant.

“All of you officers who are laughing, I want you to think about what it would be like if your family, if your son or your daughter was shot in cold blood and their killer got to walk the streets not seeing a single day in jail,” said Toni Mar, directly confronting NOPD officers over the loudspeaker. “I bet you wouldn’t have a fucking smirk on your face like you do right now!”

People on the street walking by stopped to listen to Sister Shanta Scott, the mother of Jace and founder of the Jace Lee Scott Foundation. “When cops lie, they steal. And when they steal, they murder,” she said. “My son was stolen from me. Murdered in cold blood. And the police covered it up.”

Sister Shanta Scott made her demands known. Addressing Mayor Moreno, she called for the immediate firing of all police officers involved in the cover-up of her case, federal charges against Victor Gant and his son Andrew Gant, a civil lawsuit against the city of New Orleans for protecting the officers involved, and community control of the police.

“No one should have to go through what I have to seek justice for their child,” Shanta Scott said. “This is not just about my son. This is about accountability, transparency and ensuring that no one is above the law. Families deserve truth, and justice must be applied equally.”

As the inauguration crowd exited the ceremony in their Sunday best, they had to walk in front of the protest demanding “Justice for Jace!”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes #NAARPR #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, December 12, a crowd of 100 people took to the streets of downtown New Orleans to protest the ongoing “Catahoula Crunch” ICE and Border Patrol operation in Louisiana. The action was part of a regular Saturday protest schedule by the No Troops coalition, an ad-hoc group of about a dozen organizations united against Trump’s federal takeover.

Operation Catahoula Crunch, also known as Operation Swamp Sweep, has been ongoing since December 1, sending in 250 federal agents who are working side by side with local law enforcement agencies with a goal of 5000 arrests.

The protest began with a rally at Jackson Square, featuring speakers from community organizations including Students for a Democratic Society, the Jace Lee Scott Foundation, and the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NOAARPR).

Rosalina Framboise, a student at Loyola, spoke about the power of being in the streets alongside other fighters to push back against the racist agendas of Trump and Governor Landry. “That feeling of powerlessness is nothing when we are in support of, and in community with, each other.” Framboise quoted the Black Panther Huey P. Newton saying, “We have such a strong desire to live with hope and human dignity that existence without them is impossible!”

The protesters then took to the streets for a march to the Hale Boggs Federal Building where they heard more speeches about fighting back against Trump’s attacks.

“What did the Border Patrol do for New Orleans after Katrina? Nothing! What did our immigrant siblings do for New Orleans after Katrina? Everything! They rebuilt and continue to maintain our city!” said Vonne Crandell, a member of NOAARPR.

“When we see these kids chasing ICE SUV’s out of their neighborhoods, it reminds me of the Palestinian youth throwing stones at Israeli tanks. Our resistance is righteous. Trump may have the agencies and institutions, but the numbers are on our side. We have the streets, we have the people power!” said Toni Mar of the FRSO.

Throughout the route down Decatur and Chartres Streets, New Orleans service industry workers came out of restaurants and coffee shops to video with their phones and clap in support. Tourists cheered as long lunch lines spilled into the street.

At the conclusion of the protest, Mar called on people to attend an upcoming panel on the fight against deportations being held on December 20, at 5 p.m. at the New Orleans Healing Center Room 258. Organizers also directed attendees to travel and support a secondary protest happening in Kenner, a site of direct ICE attacks with a large Latino immigrant community.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday, November 19, a crowd of 30 people rallied outside of Loyola University Law School to protest a private court hearing on the termination of the federal consent decree over the New Orleans Police Department. After over a decade, this marked the end of federal oversight of the NOPD.

Protesters outside the court chanted loudly, at times reportedly drowning out the superintendent’s victory speeches inside the building. They held signs demanding no to termination, as well as a criminal justice committee meeting by City Council Member Oliver Thomas that could address the question of local police oversight.

“The DOJ said NOPD is violating our rights, that’s why we have this consent decree. It’s the only protection we have. And now they want to get rid of it and send Border Patrol and National Guard to our city!” said Sister Shanta Scott, a member of the New Orleans Alliance. Scott demanded justice for her son Jace Lee Scott, who was killed in 2019 by Andrew Gant, son of NOPD Officer Victor Gant. Scott continued, “No termination until community oversight is permanently in place!”

Protesters confronted NOPD leadership with condemnation as they left the hearing. As officers attempted to hold a press conference, chants of “No justice, no peace, no racist police!” drowned them out. As NOPD tried to leave, the angry crowd stopped one SUV in its tracks, surrounding it and forcing it to retreat backwards down the street.

The consent decree has been in place in New Orleans since 2012 after an FBI and DOJ investigation revealed a long list of constitutional violations by the NOPD. For over a decade, the decree has been a legally binding agreement between the city and the feds that demanded the New Orleans Police Department comply with constitutional policing, including a action on stop-and-frisk practices, car chases, documentation, use of force rates, and more.

In January 2025, Federal Judge Susie Morgan ruled that the New Orleans Police Department was still not in compliance with key benchmarks, such as use of force and racial bias. However, after pressure from the city, she still allowed the NOPD to move into sustainment. This “sustainment period” is a span of two years, where the NOPD must prove capable of maintaining reforms made under the decree.

But the sustainment period never happened. In October, Judge Morgan agreed to end the consent decree at the request of the Trump administration and the city. MAGA Governor Jeff Landry and State Attorney Liz Murrill also cheered on termination, as the Trump administration is slashing consent decrees across the U.S.

“We are here today saying it loud and clear that the community has never played a determinate role in this consent decree process,” said New Orleans Alliance Chair Toni Jones. “We want community control of the police – that is what we need to keep these officers in their place. And we will not stop fighting until we get it.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #ConsentDecree #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday October 22, dozens of people rallied in front of City Hall for a protest against police brutality. Directly affected families spoke out about corruption and neglect in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), demanding that the Public Integrity Bureau be held accountable for failing to hold officers accountable.

The rally featured speakers from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, including Shanta Scott and Sean Coleman. The crowd chanted “No justice, no peace! No racist police!” The protest demanded that both Victor Gant and Detective Rob Berrere be fired for their corrupt role in the handling of the Jace Lee Scott case.

“Victor Gant was able to work with his colleagues to prevent any real investigation of Jace Lee Scott’s murder, and we want him to be fired – along with Rob Barrere. Justice means firing Victor Gant and getting federal charges to be brought against Gant for the violation of Jace Lee Scott's rights,” said Toni Jones from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

Jace Scott was murdered by the son of NOPD officer Victor Gant in 2019. Scott’s killer, Andrew Gant, did not see a single day in jail for the crime due to his father’s connections in the NOPD. Berrere is a detective in the Homicide Division of NOPD, and in addition to his mishandling of the Scott case, families report he has a track record of telling them to give up on their loved ones. Coleman’s mother reported Barrere told her to stop calling, and her son’s case would never change from a suicide ruling.

Junious Coleman was shot in front of the New Orleans East Public Library in 2022. His mother says her son’s death was wrongfully ruled a suicide, and NOPD destroyed evidence related to the case such as her son’s phone, shoes and clothing.

The protest also demanded that the city council play an active role in getting justice for these families by holding a public hearing on NOPD corruption, so other families could get the opportunity to speak out and name problem officers. The next Criminal Justice Committee hearing, currently chaired by Councilman Oliver Thomas, is slated for December 15.

“We demand that the power be turned to the people. No more self-policing, we want civilian control. Community review boards with enforcement power. And accountability from top to bottom,” said Shanta Scott.

The protest concluded with a call to action to show up to the “No Trump, No Troops” march on November 1 at 5 p.m. at the Hale Boggs Federal Building. Shanta Scott also plans to host a “Stop Gun Violence” march on the angelversary of her son Jace Lee Scott, November 24, at Karr High School.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #NOAARPR #PoliceCrimes

New Orleans, LA – On October 13, several organizations stood outside the federal building to hold a press conference against the termination of the federal consent decree over the New Orleans Police Department. The conference also condemned the impending threat of federal marshals and troops descending on the city.

“We need police oversight now more than ever. Landry is at our necks, and Trump is at our back. The Louisiana State Police are already here, the National Guard is coming into our city any day now. We now know that hundreds of federal marshals are making their way into our city as we speak. These marshals will carry out warrants and assist in immigration enforcement,” said Vonne Crandell of the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. ”NOPD is in the mix and without this consent decree they will feel emboldened to be as crooked and violent as the worst of them,” Crandell stated.

The New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized the press conference alongside the Jace Lee Scott Foundation, Eyes on Surveillance, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Participants chanted “No Trump! No troops,” and “Justice for Jace!”

“My son Jace was killed in 2019 and instead of justice my family was met with silence, misdirection and misconduct. The consent decree was supposed to end that pattern. It was created after the department of justice found years of unconstitutional policing, false reporting and lack of accountability within NOPD. But I’m standing here today to tell you those same patterns still exist. Now, some leaders want to end the consent decree claiming NOPD has changed, but how can we say reform is complete when families like mine are still fighting for basic truth?” said Sister Shanta Scott of the Alliance and the Jace Lee Scott foundation.

Abbey Lodwig of Freedom Road closed out the press conference by saying, “There is no going back to the way things were before Trump, and we don’t want to. We have to go forward. That means community control of the police, kicking these federal marshals out, and fighting back for the world of dignity and justice we deserve.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #NOAARPR

New Orleans, LA – On the evening of September 25, around 50 people attended a People's Townhall on Public Safety co-hosted by the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Black Lives Matter Grassroots.

The event featured four Black women directly impacted by police violence, neglect and misconduct who have been organizing campaigns to win justice for their murdered loved ones. Eight city council candidates attended for a Q&A on important questions surrounding public safety.

Sabrina Foster, mother of Glenn Foster Jr. and founder of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, hosted the panel on families. Her own son Glenn Foster Jr. was killed in the custody of Pickens County, Alabama police. “We later found out due to our second autopsy, that Glenn died of being tortured,” Foster shared. “We are tired of inequality. We are tired of racism. We are tired of the system, period.”

Shanta Scott's son Jace Lee Scott was killed by Andrew Grant, the son a New Orleans Police Department officer. Grant has avoided doing any prison time for killing Scott. “Yes, Andrew Grant was charged with negligent homicide and obstruction of justice, but what did it mean? Nothing. Because Andrew never spent a day in jail,” Shanta Scott said to the audience.

Jaywan Banks, sister of Jermaine Green, and Sean Coleman, mother of Junious Coleman, both have had the deaths of their family members be treated as suicides. “My brother was shot two times in the chest. NOPD tried to sweep this under the rug like a suicide,” said Jaywan Banks. “They treated my family like we were the suspects.”

“NOPD 7th District Homicide got rid of my son's clothes, cellphone and shoes. All I want is justice for my son, because it's not suicide,” Sean Coleman said.

Earlier in the night, city council candidates were asked timely questions on ICE, community control of the police and Trump's threat to send the National Guard to occupy New Orleans. Some candidates did not hesitate to speak strongly for the need for a Civilian Police Accountability Council. Bob Murrell, candidate for District A, spoke about his reason for adding CPAC to his platform. “It's building dual power,” Murrell stated, “That ability to have democratic practices and bodies at the grassroots level block by block.”

Overwhelmingly, candidates rejected Trump's use of federal agencies against New Orleans communities. Danyelle Christmas, a Black mother running for council seat in District E put it simply: “ICE is nothing but the KKK in masks.”

The Town Hall was able to raise over $2000 in pledges to support the families who want to attend the national conference of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression in November.

The next call to action will be a rally at the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau (PIBP), which is the police’s internal investigative body. The families are demanding their complaints on problem practices and corrupt officers be resolved quickly, and that their loved ones' cases get the attention they deserve. That action will be Monday October 6 at 5 p.m., at NOPD Headquarters (1615 Poydras Street).

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