Louisiana judge blocks further sweeps of homeless camp in New Orleans ahead of Taylor Swift concerts

A judge successful Louisiana has temporarily blocked further efforts by authorities officials to clear bum encampments in New Orleans — stalling a push that came ahead of three Taylor Swift concerts successful nan metropolis this weekend.

The effort to relocate astir 75 group surviving successful tents beneath an overpass adjacent nan Superdome began successful nan days starring up to popular star’s shows, which could tie 150,000 visitors to nan stadium.

Judge Lori Jupiter granted a impermanent restraining bid connected Friday, directing authorities rule enforcement officials to not “destroy aliases dispose of nan spot of unhoused group without judicial process” and to notify group successful nan “state sanctioned camp” that they are “free to leave.”

The bid is successful effect until Nov. 4.

The judge’s ruling came successful consequence to a suit revenge by bum group who were taxable to nan sweep. In ineligible filings, they based on that authorities troopers violated their law authorities by illegally searching, seizing and destroying their property, disposing of their prized possessions and “forcibly herding” them away.

According to nan lawsuit, a ineligible perceiver overheard authorities troopers saying “the politician wants you to move because of nan Taylor Swift concert.”

State officials person said nan residents were being moved to a caller location astir 2 blocks away, wherever unhoused group surviving successful nan tourist-heavy French Quarter vicinity would besides beryllium moved.

A spokesperson for Gov. Jeff Landry has said that nan effort was meant to reside homelessness and information issues, linking nan push to nan concerts and February’s Super Bowl, which will return spot successful nan city.

“As we hole for nan metropolis to big Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its champion ft guardant erstwhile connected nan world stage,” Landry’s communications director, Kate Kelly, said successful a connection issued to section media.

Advocates reason nan effort disrupted nan activity of section officials to link bum group pinch societal services and thief them find much imperishable lodging solutions.

Martha Kegel, executive head of Unity of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit that seeks imperishable lodging for unsheltered people, said nan expanse was a needless and harmful endeavor and that galore of those successful nan campy person intelligence illnesses and are distrustful of authorities and those trying to thief them.

“Some group were frightened and left, and that’s not good,” she said. “Because past each nan activity that we did to measure them and archive their disabilities and, you know, activity pinch them connected their lodging scheme has now been wasted.”

Among those who made nan move Wednesday was Terrence Cobbins. Taking a break from gathering his belongings, he said he was told to move because of nan concerts.

“They ain’t ne'er did it earlier for different people,” he said. “Why Taylor Swift?”