Mardi Gras
Thousands of revellers gathered in the French Quarter and lined kilometres of parade routes on Tuesday as New Orleans’ annual Carnival season reached its jubilant peak. This year’s Mardi Gras euphoria was tempered this year by concerns about violent crime and political unrest.
In several areas of the city, celebrations started early in the morning. In order to get people ready for Mardi Gras, members of The North Side Skull and Bones gang spread out throughout the Treme neighbourhood in skeleton costumes. Parade spectators had already staked out locations along the St. Charles Avenue parade route as the sun began to rise, peeking through gaps in the gloomy sky. Smells of barbecue filled the Central Business District.
Even though violence disrupted a flashy weekend parade, revellers weren’t deterred. Sunday night during a parade, gunfire broke out, killing one youngster and injuring four others, including a 4-year-old girl. Mansour Mbodj, 21, was soon detained by police for illegally carrying a weapon, and the accusation was then increased to second-degree murder.
On Monday, officials emphasised that the shooting was an isolated incident.
Roz Walker, 55, said, “It’s depressing, but it won’t stop me from coming. She and her pal Tracy Dunbar, both residents of Baton Rouge, were in the audience watching the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Rex Organization parades. On Mardi Gras, they have been coming to New Orleans for years.
We’ve been coming to Mardi Gras for more than 40 years, and we’ve never been in any kind of scenario at all, she claimed.
Houston resident Ken Traylor, who was taking part in his first Mardi Gras, was aware of the gunshot but chose to ignore it. He merely suggested that people exercise caution when in their surroundings. Nowadays, events take place everywhere.
Dissatisfaction with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been exacerbated by crime. She comfortably won reelection in 2021, but has since dealt with a variety of political issues, such as criticism over violence, the delayed progress of significant roadway repairs, and inquiries into her personal usage of a city-owned French Quarter apartment.
A recall petition that was started last year is about to expire on Wednesday. Eileen Carter, one of the organisers, said she thinks the movement has amassed enough signatures but will make a final push.
Carter announced that “we’ll have folks canvassing the parade routes.” That has been really beneficial to us.