New Orleans leaders try to reassure tourists city is safe after attack

By Free Republic | Created at 2025-01-02 21:12:12 | Updated at 2025-01-05 03:55:34 2 days ago

New Orleans leaders try to reassure tourists city is safe after attack
The Washington Post ^ | January 2, 2025 | Tim Craig, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Danielle Paquette

Posted on 01/02/2025 1:06:57 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

NEW ORLEANS — Since a suspected terrorist attack killed at least 14 New Year revelers on Bourbon Street and injured dozens more, officials in this city rebuilt on tourism sought to assure the world that it was safe to attend the Sugar Bowl.

The annual college football showdown — postponed from the previous evening — was expected to draw some 74,000 fans on Thursday afternoon to the Caesars Superdome, and indeed, the stadium looked packed. There was no sign that, 36 hours earlier, leaders had clashed over the right time to resume athletic festivities.

“Your governor is going to be there,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) had announced, adding his name to a list of high-profile figures vowing to do the same.

Yet the state’s top law enforcement director initially said that if she’d made the call, the Big Easy would have waited another day. The sold-out game was being played less than a mile from where all those lives were lost.

“This is an active crime scene,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told NBC News, “and they just finished removing some of the bodies, and they still haven’t removed all of them.”

New Orleans, the mecca of Mardi Gras, is known for its welcoming allure — and resilience. Nearly two days after the rampage, that reputation shined through, with crowds flocking back to the storied French Quarter and trombone notes wafting through the cobblestone streets. Locals and guests alike grappled with grief. Many said heightened security on display made them feel safer. Fresh off the devastation of New Year’s day, the success of the Sugar Bowl sent a message: The party must go on, especially with beloved parades and festivals scheduled in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, Murrill changed her...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...

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Thank you very much and God bless you.

Reminds me of the mayor of Amity Island telling people they were safe from shark attack in the movie "Jaws."

To: E. Pluribus Unum

what happened to the bollards?

weird

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Wherever there is islam, no one is safe.

3 posted on 01/02/2025 1:11:23 PM PST by EvilCapitalist (Pets are no substitute for children)

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I hate to be so cynical but when they said yesterday the Sugar Bowl had been stopped and then later said it would go on today, I thought “They want to make money and they’ll hope nobody gets killed but the bosses figure it’s worth the risk to make that cash.”

They have no idea if the bumblers who set up a place for a driver to avoid the one squad car and simply move to the side and drive on the sidewalk unimpeded would somehow become competent leaders overnight.

4 posted on 01/02/2025 1:11:51 PM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )

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