The two-day commemoration events united the New Orleans Community, uplifted spirits and demanded climate justice on the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
NEW ORLEANS — Hip Hop Caucus and New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Foundation honored the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a special press conference and hosted the 19th Annual Hurricane Katrina March and Second Line on August 29 and August 31, respectively. The commemoration saw hip-hop artists, government officials, and New Orleans activists gather together in remembrance of Hurricane Katrina to demand better environmental protections, and to celebrate the perseverance of the New Orleans community.
The press conference, which was held at Louisiana State Representative Alonzo Knox’s office on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina made a public call to establish the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina as a state and local holiday. Speakers included Hip Hop Caucus’ Artist Relations Director and Cultural Producer Dawn Richard, New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Foundation Founder and Rapper Sess 4-5, U.S. Representative Alonzo L. Knox, New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver E. Thomas, New Orleans City Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Rapper Mia X, Community Advocate Jordan Bridges, 9th Ward Resident Robert Green, and Poet Sunni Patterson.
Hip Hop Caucus’ Artist Relations Director and Cultural Producer and New Orleans native Dawn Richard powerfully remarked, “It was a day of extreme loss, me losing my grandfather, me losing my family dynamic…[Hurricane Katrina] was one of the many events that showed our city and state we have to fight for climate justice.”
This year’s annual Hurricane Katrina March started in the Lower 9th Ward next to the breached levee with a touching and harmonious healing ceremony filled with prayers from Members of the Congo Kids and the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society with over 100 people in attendance. Following the ceremony, attendees proceeded with the march through the streets where they then fed into a large Second Line and finished at Hunter’s Field with music performances hosted by Wild Wayne.
At the Hunter’s Field, the New Orleans Community celebrated community resiliency and highlighted the continued support needed for those who are still impacted by Hurricane Katrina with personal stories and performances from Sess 4-5, GeWiz, Jordan Michael, 7Teen, T99zy, Ricky B, PopOut, Money Mike Bo, Tonya Boyd Cannon, Lady Red, Ms. Tee, Flagboy Giz and the Ghetto Twinz.
Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev Yearwood Jr. implored leaders to take action and mitigate the effects of climate disasters. He passionately emphasized the importance of participating in the upcoming election and demanded better protections against the environmental effects of petrochemicals, which intensify the threat of climate change and disproportionately affect Black, Brown and underprivileged communities along the Gulf Coast.
This event was also the first stop of the Hip Hop Caucus’ Respect My Vote! Tour which is aimed at educating, registering and mobilizing voters of color. Respect My Vote! launched as a Hip Hop Caucus campaign in 2008 and is the largest and longest running non-partisan, hip-hop voter mobilization campaign.
About Hip Hop Caucus
Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.
New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Foundation
New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Foundation annually organizes the largest community-led remembrance event on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, August 29th.
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