Currently, 63% of our city budget goes to cops, jails, and reactive measures. Only 3% goes to children and families, and 1% to job development. Hospitality workers bring in 9.1 billion dollars a year to the New Orleans economy. We have a right to the wealth we produce. We refuse to accept that billions in our tax dollars go to police who murder Black people without consequence and oppress the poor and working class. City funds must be redirected to provide for those most affected by this crisis.
There are over 100,000 hospitality workers in New Orleans, and a majority of those workers are Black. If Black Lives Matter, defunding the police is essential. If Black Lives Matter, funding income and job replacement for Black hospitality workers is essential.
The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit industries by the economic crisis, and hospitality workers are suffering. According to a study from the University of Chicago, 42% of layoffs across the country will be permanent. With job scarcity and the fast-approaching end to federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, workers need income replacement NOW.
The Hospitality Workers Alliance will be leading a march to the Police Headquarters to demand that Mayor Cantrell and the City Council flip the budget to reflect the needs of working-class New Orleanians, expand the shutdown and unemployment benefits, and defund the police. We are in full solidarity with all workers, particularly those fighting back for protection and safety in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic. We are calling all working people, employed and unemployed, to unite and fight back!
Join us July 9th at 5pm on the steps of City Hall
Please wear a face covering/mask
