Thread: Protesters on Poydras--New Orleans

Video at website.

Protesters on Poydras
by The Times-Picayune
Monday April 21, 2008, 11:55 AM


Jennifer Zdon / The Times-Picayune
A handful of protesters gathered on Poydras St. Monday, April 21, 2008 to voice complaints against the fourth annual North American Summit held in New Orleans with President Bush meeting with leaders of Mexico and Canada.

A group of around 20 protesters waving signs and chanting slogans against the North American Leaders' Summit pressed against NOPD barricades in front of the W Hotel on Poydras Street as President Bush's caravan rode by Monday morning.

The protesters repeatedly recited the Pledge of Allegiance to an American flag they were carrying, loudly repeating the pledge as Bush passed. Across Poydras Street, in front of the Loews Hotel, tourists stood in the street to see the president drive by at around 11:00 am.

"Death to the new world order," a man yelled into a bull horn.

Earlier, Eddie Dickey from Houston said he made the trip to New Orleans because the ongoing trade and security talks between Bush, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper represent a threat to America's sovereignty.

"People are so wrapped up in ball games and work and our own microcosms, they don't see what is going on," Dickey said.

The small group of protesters assembled early in the morning at Jackson Square in the French Quarter, eventually migrating downtown, where the presidential entourages will be staying and meeting through Tuesday. Federal officials have said the focus of the meetings between the heads of state and various working groups will be on border security and economic issues.

Although New Orleans Police Department officers and Louisiana State Police troopers were out in force and a few streets were blocked off in the Central Business District, traffic continued to flow on St. Charles Ave. in front of Gallier Hall, where some of the summit's events will be held. The NOPD put barricades around Lafayette Square and blocked parking on side streets, but at midday pedestrians continued to walk around the area.

Two Mandeville residents who turned out to express their displeasure with the summit said they were disappointed with the anemic protest turnout. Michael Blache and Tom Kowitz said they believe the talks are a pretext for the eventual formation of a governmental union between Canada, the United States and Mexico - much like the European Union.

"I have never protested in my life," Blache said, adding that he is genuinely concerned about possible encroachments on national sovereignty. "We are hardworking Americans and we don't want to see it go away."

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008 ... ydras.html

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