Photo credit: Traveling Mermaid/Charlotte Ash
With regard to the Eris parade incident, rumors have been flying today and few verifiable facts have surfaced. As usual, the NOLA.com account of this incident is drawing a variety of opinions and reactions: New Orleans police and marching group clash Sunday night in Marigny
This incident reflects the general conundrum I’ve been considering during the past week: On one hand, the City of New Orleans’ Administration and the New Orleans Police Department do appear to be selectively enforcing laws; on the other, it’s a fact that many of our city’s citizens cherry-pick which laws they’ll choose to obey.
Does the lack of a parade permit warrant the use of pepper spray, stun guns, or batons? My response is an unequivocal “No.”
But I’d also like to ask, could this incident have been avoided? Maybe.
I do not doubt that many of the participants in the Eris parade spend a great deal of time creating beautiful and fantastical costumes, planning for the event, and composing original music to perform during the parade’s night of marching. That being said, why is it unreasonable to ask that someone in the organization crosses the T’s and dots the I’s by securing a parade permit and the required NOPD escort?
I learned today that the cost for a parade is $875 to meet the minimum requirements (a $275 flat fee for the parade permit and $600 for the required minimum of four NOPD officers to provide an escort and control traffic for the parade participants). It’s my guess that $10 per person marching/participating would more than cover these fees, or that the money could possibly be raised through a one-night benefit event at a local bar or club.
Accounts of the alleged violence perpetrated by the NOPD are being shared at lightning speed, however, I’ve yet to see any investigative effort with regard to reports of so-called parade participants dancing on parked cars, kicking over mailboxes, tagging and scratching cars, or throwing bricks and bottles (nor are these alleged acts mentioned in the NOLA.com story).
It has also been reported that six law enforcement officers were injured; is there more information available regarding the circumstances from which these injuries resulted? Has anyone seen or documented the reported damage to the two police cars? Has it been confirmed that all of the law enforcement officers involved were, in fact, NOPD officers? Where are the photos and videos documenting the reported incidents? Without these facts, the story is far from complete.
All things considered, I would like to learn more about what occurred before everything went sideways.
The Krewe of Eris was formed in 2005; its brief history also includes other clashes with law enforcement. I have to wonder, is this part of the Krewe’s modus operandi? (Simply put: Why is it okay to accuse the NOPD of repeatedly offending, while it seems that this recently-created krewe is somehow above reproach?) Why didn’t the parade disband on Sunday night when the crowd was told to disperse or when it reportedly faced a barricade?
It’s ironic. While researching the parade permit details earlier today, I had the pleasure of watching the Red Beans and Rice Lundi Gras parade cavort down my street, filling the block where I live with joy, color, and music (an organization that’s only in its third year of marching). I’d estimate that there were about 200 participants (with newcomers joining in as the parade flowed by); they were led by an unmarked, lighted police car and had three motorcycle/scooter cops controlling traffic (who facilitated the parade crossing N. Rampart Street at an intersection without a traffic signal). The presence of the NOPD officers did not inhibit the parade or its participants in the slightest.
With that in mind, I ask this final question: If the Krewe of Eris had obtained a permit and secured the required police escort, would the alleged threats to public safety and incidents of property damage have been as likely to occur? This one act of compliance could have been sufficient to deter those who may have been determined to be destructive instead of celebrating creativity. It is unfortunate the event’s founders did not act to protect its participants in this manner.
All those questions aside, I don’t see the artists and musicians as being the troublemakers in this incident; I am disheartened that they were caught up in the fray. If it is determined that the NOPD (or any law enforcement agency) used excessive force or engaged in unwarranted action, then I expect those officers to be identified and prosecuted aggressively to the full extent of the law. None should be exempt from being held accountable (regardless of occupation or avocation).
Just the questions that I had, madame, especially concerning the lack of a parade permit. But I don’t think all that ought to have warranted tasing and macing. Guess we’ll wait and see what both sides have to say.
“I do not doubt that many of the participants in the Eris parade spend a great deal of time creating beautiful and fantastical costumes, planning for the event, and composing original music to perform during the parade’s night of marching. That being said, why is it unreasonable to ask that someone in the organization crosses the T’s and dots the I’s by securing a parade permit an the required NOPD escort?”
Really?
You simply do not know Eris, or what they represent.
What other law enforcement was on the scene?
Sad you are disheartened that they were caught up in it, but what is this “Fray” to which you refer?
Editilla,
Just my opinion but if a permit is required to parade, it should apply to all no matter what they represent or who they are. And, just to be clear, my opinion doesn’t mean I approve of the means used by the police to enforce the law.
“With that in mind, I ask this final question: If the Krewe of Eris had obtained a permit and secured the required police escort, would the alleged threats to public safety and incidents of property damage have been as likely to occur? This one act of compliance could have been sufficient to deter those who may have been determined to be destructive instead of celebrating creativity.”
I said this on @macfitte’s blog as well-if someone jumps on *my* car and dances on it, they’re going to cause hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in damage. Had someone sprayed “die nazi scum” on my old Benz, I would have been more than a little tempted to beat their ass with a baseball bat, maybe even mace them. People who live along established parade routes expect a certain amount of annoyance; those in the neighborhoods don’t expect to have their homes urinated upon by a moving crowd.
There are also reports that some in the crowd actually charged the NOPD officers. When cops are threatened, they’re going to go on the defensive. If these reports are accurate and the crowd was really drunk/stupid enough to attack the cops, they’re lucky the injury count was as low as it was.
Keep in mind, I’m the guy who sits in the coffee shop, wondering which one of the four NOPD officers at the next table is capable of shooting me then setting my body on fire. I’m well aware of NOPD’s dysfunction, but this incident is not an example of that dysfunction.
The Times Picayune posted this story on the front page of today’s paper.
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/03/new_orleans_police_clash_with.html
It appears there were injuries on both sides.
I may come across as cold, but I have to side with the NOPD on this one. I understand whimsy and culture and that is great and everything, but the fact of the matter is that this group has a history with NOPD – as do many individuals living in that district, several have an attitude that NOPD can do no good and they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t there – and they KNOW a permit is required and they ignored this. Not only did this group ignore this, they also chose to ignore two (though I have also heard three) attempts to stop the parade before the mayhem broke out. They actively ignored what is general police protocol in barricading the road, flashing lights and sounding the sirens. Not once did they do this, but twice and possibly a third time. During Mardi Gras. In New Orleans.
I do not believe mace should ever be used for crowd control nor do I believe excess force should be deployed, however, this is not a simple case of the NOPD ‘picking’ on a krewe, as some are trying to portray it. It is not the NOPD targeting art or trying to drive artist out of the city. It is the NOPD trying to do their job. Perhaps if a permit was obtained, this wouldn’t have happened. Perhaps if they had stopped after the FIRST police barricade and warning, this wouldn’t have happened. Or, perhaps, they shouldn’t have been destroying civilian and police property and taking particular pride in the disorder and chaos caused.
The NOPD definitely has problems To say they do not would be dishonest. That being said, they are not to blame when OTHERS decide to break the law and they have to enforce it. There is a serious lack of personal accountability and responsibility in this case because it is easier to demonize the NOPD than to actually make people who don’t like rules follow rules. This happens ANY TIME the NOPD steps in and enforces anything. Cries of unfairness, cries of corruption, people calling for the NOPD to go and catch ‘real criminals’ and to do something about the murder rate. A large community within the city would rather point their fingers and blame the NOPD than take an honest look at the problem and work to solve it.
Here’s a link to a post by an anon participant of the parade. His/her experience sounds pretty horrifying.
http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2011/03/15776.php
I do find the detailed and anonymously-posted personal account to be interesting, however, without attribution, it cannot be verified and is (in my opinion) of limited value.
I would like to learn whether or not this peaceful parader knew of the NOPD’s request for the parade to disband and if his/her arrest occurred subsequent to such request. (What is this individual’s personal accountability?)
I would also offer this for consideration: While the individual who posted it fears possible reprisal or retaliation, the statement released by the NOPD regarding this incident includes the names of all twelve of the people that were arrested. The individual who posted this anonymously has, in effect, opened the door for potential retaliatory action against all who were arrested. If this is of any concern to the poster, then perhaps they should consider making this account attributable.
The debate over the permit issue seems to be overshadowing the more critical issue of police brutality and absolute licence they seem to sometimes think the badge affords. It is the responsibility of the law to act lawfully.
Other than the police reports, have any citizens actually reported vandalism to cars? Are there any insurance claims or photos of damage. The jump between scribbling penises on cars with washable ink, to other forms of vandalism doesn’t seem too difficult of a leap for the police to make in their reports. As well as it doesn’t seem likely that the police would be falling over themselves in an effort to report any wrong doing. It also wouldn’t be the first time that police have behaved badly.
http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2011/03/15776.php
I hope that more eyewitness accounts will become available.
There’s a second video on rakatko’s YouTube channel in addition to the previous poster’s embeded video that shows a much more subdued NOPD attempting to barricade the parade. I don’t know the correct sequence of events and the videographer doesn’t say. Both videos can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rakatk0#p/a/u/0/nLjFMBRF_e0
It’s interesting that both videos aren’t referenced above nor in the post of another local blog. Just sayin’.
Thank you for posting the video to the other link. I think people can best make up their own minds with the most available information. This is the article where I originally found this video.
http://www.wdsu.com/r/27136771/detail.html
It also includes a link to New Orleans Independent Police Monitor.
http://www.facebook.com/nolaipm
I posted the you tube version because it was higher quality.
I would also like to point out that other police forces from across the country come to New Orleans to learn crowd control techniques. If the police are able to handle the drunken mobs that have graced Bourbon St., why not this motley crew of artists? We don’t mace and club tourists when they blatantly disrespect and destroy people and their property. Why the need to do it to our own citizens?
Is it possible that the police over exerted their power on a group that is a relatively easy target? Just Sayin’.
I contend that the general call for accountability is, to a large extent, one-sided (applying in most accounts or coverage of this incident solely to the NOPD). I ask that you please re-read the final paragraph of this post, which includes:
If it is determined that the NOPD (or any law enforcement agency) used excessive force or engaged in unwarranted action, then I expect those officers to be identified and prosecuted aggressively to the full extent of the law. None should be exempt from being held accountable (regardless of occupation or avocation).
Pingback: Errors at Eris
My point exactly: I have seen much calling for the accountability of the paraders for their refusal to adhere to permit regulations. I have not seen quite the demand for accountability of the trained professionals who are sworn to protect and to serve.
I believe that it is possible to have a police force that is capable of handling crowd control without excessive force. Perhaps others just don’t have as much faith in our democratic system and believe that it is acceptable for police to descend to the level of the thugs they are opposing. Perhaps I just expect a bit too much of our public servants and my high ideals have gone the way of fair and balanced journalism.
I refuse to excuse the bad behavior of police with the bad behavior of those they are trying to apprehend. The “He started it.” Defense should be no more valid today than it was in kindergarten.
I have exempted no one.
As more facts come to light in this matter I believe we can all make a more well informed opinion. Both sides should be held accountable for their actions and accept the consequences.
I think we’ve exhausted this thread for the moment. Thanks to all for their comments.
Pingback: Fate Accompli | NOLA DEFENDER