"Katrina's Hidden Race War: In Aftermath of Katrina, Vigilantes Shot 11 Blacks in New Orleans." Amy Goodman (Democracy Now) and A.C. Thompson (The Nation) ran this report on Friday, December 19, 2008. Apparently, there has never been an official investigation. This will never get the coverage that it deserves - I hope you watch it and forward it to everyone you know.
Also, after watching the video, send an email to Goodman and Thompson, letting them know how much you appreciate Independent and Alternative Media (Democracy Now Contact Page Link and The Nation Contact Page Link).
See videos below....Warning: Graphic and Emotional
Katrina's Hidden Race War Part I - YouTube Link to Video
Katrina's Hidden Race War Part II - YouTube Link to Video
Democracy Now Link to Entire Video
Katrina's Hidden Race War, by A.C. Thompson - Click Here for Full Story
The way Donnell Herrington tells it, there was no warning. One second he was trudging through the heat. The next he was lying prostrate on the pavement, his life spilling out of a hole in his throat, his body racked with pain, his vision blurred and distorted.
It was September 1, 2005, some three days after Hurricane Katrina crashed into New Orleans, and somebody had just blasted Herrington, who is African-American, with a shotgun. "I just hit the ground. I didn't even know what happened," recalls Herrington, a burly 32-year-old with a soft drawl.
The sudden eruption of gunfire horrified Herrington's companions--his cousin Marcel Alexander, then 17, and friend Chris Collins, then 18, who are also black. "I looked at Donnell and he had this big old hole in his neck," Alexander recalls. "I tried to help him up, and they started shooting again." Herrington says he was staggering to his feet when a second shotgun blast struck him from behind; the spray of lead pellets also caught Collins and Alexander. The buckshot peppered Alexander's back, arm and buttocks.
Herrington shouted at the other men to run and turned to face his attackers: three armed white males..."
Katrina's Hidden Race War, by A.C. Thompson - Click Here for Full Story
I hope that you actually got this far into the post. I know people are worried about the "big issues" (economy, war, etc.); however, pausing to think about what's happening on our local streets is just as important. I would like to believe in a post-racial society; however, it's going to take more awareness of issues like this before that can ever happen. Sending this to everyone you know may be a good start.
Again, here's Goodman and Thompson's contact information(Democracy Now Contact Page Link and The Nation Contact Page Link).