Second-Line organizations along with Social Aid and Pleasure clubs are in a nasty battle with Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration, the outcome of which might have long-term negative impacts on the city’s cultural scene. The NOPD has proposed new rules that would add to the costs of holding a parade by requiring increased insurance for trolleys and floats, among other changes.
This fight could easily be avoided if the City Council implemented a 2017 ordinance, #222941 which was introduced by then Councilmember James Carter and unanimously approved by the entire Council, says Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste, a candidate for New Orleans City Council District D. Batiste grew up in the Tambourine and Fan organization and dancing alongside his musician cousins as their performed with second-line groups. He is currently a member of the Black Feathers Indian Tribe.
Carter’s ordinance called for the establishment of an 11-member Second-Line and Mardi Gras Indian Cultural Preservation Task Force to “protect and preserve the cultural institutions of Second-Lining, Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and spontaneous funeral processions.” In his ordinance Carter indicated that preserving these cultural institutions, particularly in historic neighborhoods, was essential to New Orleans’ continued recovery. He further suggested that these groups positively promoted the city to the world and were essential to economic prosperity. The task force’s role would be advisory to the City Council and would foster open communication and cooperation between the citizenry and the New Orleans Police Department to ensure that policies and procedures were “culturally sensitive.”
“The Second-Line and Mardi Gras Indians communities just wants to be treated like the large Mardi Gras organizations and have communication and input into all city decisions regarding their events. We don’t appreciate last-minute decisions that will drive up costs,” said Batiste. Councilmember Carter understood that these groups were an integral part of the city’s culture and a magnet for tourists. “He knew we should be treated with respect,” Batiste explained.
The city’s annual Second-Line season is about to begin. “Let’s hold off any changes until after members of the task force are appointed and receive proper input from the community including the tourism industry before any new regulations are proposed,” Batiste concluded.
