Official Statement from New Orleans City Council Regarding Threats to Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 17, 2024

NEW ORLEANS - On the evening of May 16, vandals covered a New Orleans City Council staff member's home in red paint, presumably to represent blood, in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Regardless of anyone’s passionate feelings on this issue, threats, vandalism, harassment, and violence are not the answer. The Jewish staff person’s family, including their two small children, woke up to their home desecrated. All our families deserve to feel safe at home, including public servants who work tirelessly to make our city a better place. We will not tolerate hate in our community.

Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno

Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large JP Morrell

District "A" Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso, III

District "B" Councilmember Lesli Harris

District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III

District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr

District "E" Councilmember Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.

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Media Contact:

Monet Brignac

Office of Councilmember At-Large JP Morrell

Monet.Brignac-Sullivan@nola.gov

504.975.2897

New Orleans City Council

The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings can be found on the City Council website.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large JP Morrell; District "A" Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso, III; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.