500 rally at State Capitol for rebuilding rights

As many as 500 people gathered at the steps of the State Capitol on Oct. 29 to petition the federal government for more support in rebuilding hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.
Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attended the rally, along with representatives of the AFL-CIO and NAACP. Other organizations, such as the New Opportunities for Action and Hope, a coalition of labor unions and civil rights groups, also were in attendance to request better rebuilding efforts and greater input on reconstruction.
According to the Associated Press, hurricanes Katrina and Rita cost the state $300 million dollars in unemployment and left as many as 296,000 laborers without jobs.
“The speakers talked about rebuilding New Orleans and having job security for those who move back in the city,” said Terrel Kent, a junior music education major from Baton Rouge. “I think the rally was a success because it brought media attention on a national level to the problems Louisiana residents are having with the aftermath.”
Kent, a member of the Beta Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., attended the rally with sorority sisters to show collective support.
State representative Charmaine Marchand, D-New Orleans, represents the 99th District, an area hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. She said the rally was great for attendees and also those who could not attend.
“The rally was positive because it made those affected get involved and make their voices heard,” Marchand said.
She said like many other rallies and protests staged in the past, she hopes the plight for rebuilding New Orleans would not lose momentum. Marchand had advice for those who may be tiring of fighting with the government.
“The momentum isn’t going to die down,” she said. “There are many unanswered questions that need to be answered.”
As for what citizens could do to make sure elected officials represent their constituency, Marchand said communication between citizens and elected officials needed to stay open. She also said officials need to use the media to the fullest extent to make sure everyone knows what is going on.
“Everyone needs to remember that a community is not about bricks and wood,” she said. “Communities are built by people.”