Taking Action

Dear friends and allies,

The last couple of weeks have seen a continued outpouring of initiatives, support, contributions and volunteers from across the US and around the world. Journalists and human rights workers have exposed many of the abuses of city, state and federal officials, as well as those of police, miltary, and disaster profiteers.

Organizing continues on the ground from many different individuals, organizations and coalitions. There have also, unfortunately, been some very public attacks and infighting. Below are some upcoming initiatives. The first is a rally called by a New Orleans/Baton Rouge based coalition called the New Opportunity for Action and Hope Coalition, and below that is a National Assembly and March for Human Rights called by the Peoples Hurricane Relief Fund. Also, here are some resources for information and action:

http://www.katrinaaction.org/
http://www.justiceforneworleans.org/
http://www.leftturn.org/articles/SpecialCollections/katrina.aspx
http://neworleans.indymedia.org/

The New Opportunity for Action and Hope Coalition presents

RALLY TO REBUILD LOUISIANA

Featuring Jesse Jackson, Governor Blanco, Congressmen Jefferson and Melancon, New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas and other faith, labor, and community leaders.

Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 10:00am-1:00pm
Louisiana State Capitol - Baton Rouge

See www.noahcoalition.org for more info.

The New Opportunity for Action and Hope Coalition was formed by Louisiana-based labor, community and civil rights organizations seeking to ensure that the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast region is completed in a way that maximizes its benefits and opportunities to working families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

The mission of the NOAH Coalition is three-fold:
• Priority Job Placement and Training for displaced workers in rebuilding their communities.
• Living Wages for Workers to enable them to support themselves and their families.
• Access to Immediate Housing in their communities and a plan for transitioning to long term, affordable housing in that community.

The People’s Hurricane Fund Presents

JUSTICE AFTER KATRINA:

The People must decide

Jackson, MS December 9th Gulf Coast National Assembly
New Orleans, LA December 10th Day of Return

March for Human Rights Join survivors and others of goodwill to take back New Orleans from the real looters

• Support family reunification now. The government must provide funds for all families to be reunited. The databases of FEMA and the Red Cross must be made public.
• Demand a Victims Compensation Fund as was done after 9/11 for the people in the World Trade Center in New York City. The $50 billion belongs to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
• Demand representation on all boards that are making decisions on spending public dollars for relief and reconstruction. We also demand that those most affected by Hurricane Katrina be part of the planning process.
• Demand public work jobs for displaced workers and residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We must take the lead in rebuilding our communities. The jobs must be at union wages so that our communities are no longer characterized by extreme poverty.
• Demand transparency in the entire reconstruction process. Citizens must know where all the monies are being spent and with whom they are being spent. Support grassroots leadership. Be a part of the solution.

The People’s Hurricane Relief Fund - 3565 Wheatley Street Jackson, Mississippi 39212

For more information: Please call (601) 346-5995 or visit us on the web www.communitylaborunited.net