Community honors Katrina anniversary

A community rally in solidarity with Katrina/Rita victims and survivors took place in Roxbury, Mass., on Aug. 29. It was the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and the 51st anniversary of the racist murder of Emmett Till.

Aug. 29 rally. WW photo: Liz Green

Initiated by the Boston Rosa Parks Human Rights Day Committee, participants in this action in the heart of the Black community demanded justice and reparations for those displaced as a result of the U.S. government’s criminal, racist neglect and abandonment of the mostly poor Black people in the Gulf Coast. Demands included: “Money for people’s needs, not war,” “Stop the attacks on the LGBT community,” “Full rights for the immigrant communities,” “Stop Home land Security attacks,” “Money for levees—Not racist border walls,” and “End colonial occupations.” BRPHRDC organizers stressed they are still working to establish Dec. 1 as a citywide “Rosa Parks Day” holiday.

A wide range of working-class and oppressed speakers spoke to a diverse crowd from the flatbed of a pickup truck donated by Steel Workers Local 8751.

“We are making the connection today to what happened a year ago and what continues to happen today in Boston and also for the people in New Orleans,” declared rally co-chair Yvette Modestin of BRPHDRC. Lorena Escoto of the youth group Rosa 7053 co-chaired the rally.

‘Mask ripped off’

African American Katrina survivors and family members of the displaced or dead set the day’s tone, introduced by Tony Van Der Meer, co-chair of BRPHRDC.

“The fact that we are here is a testament to all of us: to stand with those who suffered through Hurricane Katrina a year ago and are still suffering. It’s also important for us to look to internalize what Katrina means for us right here in Boston, as we all are ‘Katrina-ized,’ especially when we talk about the oppressed communities. ... We refuse to sit idle and watch people die, whether it’s in New Orleans, Baghdad, Lebanon—wherever,” said Van Der Meer.

Holding her toddler son, Constance Essex, a Katrina survivor now living in Boston, described how as a deputy sheriff she witnessed prisoners’ plights and said the entire experience “was devastating. … We had no food. We had no water. We were torn apart.”Essex, whose entire family originates from New Orleans, called on those present to pressure the government for the necessary money and resources to rebuild the Gulf Coast immediately. And she demanded her right to return. “I want to go home,” said Essex.

Introduced by BRPHRDC member and Cultural Café co-founder Clemencia Lee, health-care and disabled people’s advocate Keith Jones said of the aftermath of Katrina, “The reason why America was catatonic is not because Katrina happened, it’s because no one believed that the fallacy of the American policies would be exposed to the world, no one was prepared for the mask to be ripped off the façade of the American dream.” Jones originates from New Orleans. His immediate and extended family were among those displaced after Katrina.

Richard Hewitt, displaced from New Orleans and now living in Boston, had just returned from the Gulf Coast after a brief visit. “Things are not right down there,” he said. “Houses are not being rebuilt. ... Nothing’s getting done. ... Like a week after Katrina happened the French Quarter was back running. A lot of money’s made there I guess. I come up here to Boston, it’s some of the same things going on that I seen in New Orleans. ... It’s going to keep happening until we stand up and say something about it.”

‘Unity, Fighting Back & Power’

After the survivors a wide range of participants, mostly from the oppressed communities, spoke out. The talks were interspersed with cultural performances of people’s music and poems by The Foun dation Movement, Dana and others.

Diane Dujon of Survivors Inc. and a veteran of the welfare-rights movement said, “I’m so happy to see so many new people becoming activists because we really need activists out here in the streets demanding that our human rights be met.”

Louise Powell of the Boston Workers Alliance said: “Depending on the government, state officials, politicians and others who don’t practice what they preach will keep us ‘Katrina-ized’—meaning left for dead. Don’t let another ‘natural’ incident leave us vulnerable to criminal neglect by the government. …

“We still live in critical times where we are still experiencing neglect and oppression as people of color. Yes, we want to stop spending money on war and use it for social programs at home. We want jobs with a livable wage. And we want all other necessities that will create a life for people of color to have adequate money for decent housing, education and health. But it will take our united efforts to create the change we desire.”

Dorotea Manuela, longtime Puerto Rican independentista and co-chair of BRPHRDC, said: “Katrina is not just a name of a hurricane, it’s an expression, a demonstration of the evil that we live with, of the murder upon people and genocide. …When we talk about terrorism let’s remember that racism is terrorism; denial of health to children, working and poor people is terrorism; denial of people’s human rights is terrorism. The lack of immigration rights is terrorism. Immi grants are workers. The working class has been divided by our enemy. Both parties represent the same interests.

“We the people have to unite, show our power and kick ass because that’s what it’s going to take: kicking some ass working together. It’s not a privilege to have basic human needs met; it’s a right of life. We know who our enemy is; let’s go get ‘em. Basta ya. All power to the people.”

Other speakers were Evan Hempel, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; Kerric Johnson, Roxbury Builders Guild; Bishop Filipe Teixeira; Grace Ross, Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party; Felix Arroyo Jr., SEIU Local 615; Klare Allen, Safety Net; Chuck Turner, District 7 Boston City Councilor; Mia Campbell, Women’s Fightback Network; Cassandra Clark Masariego, Urban Roots; and Stevan Kirschbaum, USW Local 8751.

The multinational BRPHRDC youth committee, “Rosa 7053,” played a major role at the rally, its young members speaking, selling T-shirts and more. The committee did massive outreach for the rally, distributing literature at public transportation stops, knocking on doors, and speaking at forums.

The action was endorsed by many labor and community organizations, including the Boston International Action Center/ Troops Out Now Coalition.

BRPHRDC meetings are held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Jamaica Plain, Mass. For more information call 617-524-3507, email: [email protected],or visit www.brphrd.com or www.iacboston.org.