Protests Disrupt New Orleans City Council Meeting
During a meeting on Thursday, the New Orleans City Council faced interruptions from activists voicing their anger over the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The Department of Homeland Security recently confirmed the launch of Operation Catahoula Crunch, which targets illegal aliens involved in criminal activities. This operation, which began this week in New Orleans, has led to significant backlash from some residents.
At the council meeting, attendees lined up to urge Congress to pass an ordinance declaring all city-owned properties as “ICE-free zones,” effectively prohibiting cooperation with immigration enforcement. Signs reading “No Cooperation with ICE/DHS” were visible among the demonstrators.
The council responded by muting protesters’ microphones, stating that their comments were “irrelevant” to the meeting’s agenda. Despite this, activists persisted in approaching the microphone to reiterate their demands, with some opting to remain standing and disrupt the proceedings.
In light of the situation, council members decided to suspend public comments on the topic and called for the meeting to adjourn, which only heightened tensions. The crowd became increasingly agitated, directing shouts at both council members and nearby police officers.
Footage captured by onlookers revealed officers slowly exiting the building as protesters refused to disperse, with some demonstrators resisting arrest. After a tense few minutes marked by shouting and confrontations, the crowd was eventually forced to leave the premises, declaring, “We’ll be back,” as they retreated.
Reports indicated that about thirty individuals were removed from the council chambers during the events. Organizer Toni Jones, affiliated with the New Orleans Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression, expressed frustration, stating that the City Council had yet to make a clear stance against cooperation with ICE.
In the midst of protests, the D.H.S. highlighted arrests made under Operation Catahoula Crunch, mentioning cases of serious crimes involving individuals who had been released from long prison sentences. According to officials, these offenders pose a continuing risk to the community.
