See the article by Bill Quigley over at Common Dreams:

Locked Outside the Gates: Tasers, Pepper Spray, and Arrests in the Struggle for Affordable Housing in New Orleans

The following two articles--forwarded by Pam Nath this morning--approach the New Orleans public housing crisis from different angles, and both do a great job of explaining the reasons why people are so upset about the demolitions.

Do They Know It's Christmas? Louisiana Weekly

High Noon in New Orleans: The Bulldozers are Ready New York Times

This message was forwarded by Pam Nath, the MCC Listening and Discernment Worker in New Orleans. She is heavily involved in the work of this coalition.

The Coalition to Stop the Demolitions would like to thank all of our allies and supporters throughout the United States and the world who came and stood with us in New Orleans or took action on the streets your city, or who called, emailed, or faxed the New Orleans City Council, Mayor Ray Nagin, Senator Vitter, the Senate Banking Committee members, etc. Your support played a pivotal role in helping us attain the victories we accomplished last week in halting the demolition of three of the four major public housing locations in New Orleans.

However, the fight is far from over and we still need your help.

Read more! »

NOLA Housing Crisis Update
By Bill Quigley

Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), totally controlled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is trying to demolish 4500 public housing apartments. Residents and affordable housing advocates are resisting.

Several big victories!

Louisiana State Court Order postponing all demolitions at C.J. Peete, Lafitte, and St. Bernard until City Council of New Orleans approves that decision. City Council announced it will take this matter up on Thursday December 20, 2007.

US District Court in Washington DC issued an injunction halting demolition at St. Bernard until Thursday and transferring case to NOLA for additional hearings.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sent a letter to President Bush asking that he immediately stop the demolitions for 60 days to allow a congressional remedy. No word back from the President yet.

The National Journal ran their 3rd segment on corruption at HUD and HANO. The FBI continues to look into this and search warrants have been executed at the homes and offices of top-ranking HUD officials. Ed Pound is the author.

Read more! »