Mayoral Forum Jan 18
Date: Sat, Jan. 09, 2010
Mayoral forums are multiplying across the city. At an early forum at Xavier University, virtually every candidate identified crime as the number one priority for the new mayor. Yet even during a recent forum at UNO that planned to address public safety and health, only one question focused on combatting crime in the city.
It is difficult to address broad concerns in a limited time frame, but given the public consensus about the centrality of public safety in this election, we feel the discussion about crime must become more substantial. SilenceIsViolence regards it as our responsibility to hold the mayoral candidates to a more concrete and thorough conversation about their specific ideas and proposals for making us safer. We have invited all major candidates to take part in a Martin Luther King Day forum, moderated by Lee Zurik, on crime and public safety. Join us on Monday, January 18 at 7pm to hear their ideas and proposals. The forum will be held in an area of the Upper Ninth Ward in desperate need of attention and revitalization, at the corner of St. Claude Avenue and Louisa Street. Details about the forum, as well as information about other peace-oriented activities taking place that week as part of our annual Strike Against Crime, are below.
STRIKE AGAINST CRIME EVENTS:
Monday, January 18, 7pm:
Mayoral candidiates forum: “Crime, Community, and the Office of the Mayor”
Hosted by SilenceIsViolence, the Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force, and the Stooges Brass Band
Goody’s Restaurant, 3200 St. Claude Ave., (504) 470-9000
Tuesday, January 19, 7am-7pm:
United For Peace in New Orleans: “Vigil for Victims of Violence”
Martin Luther King Blvd. at Claiborne Ave.
Thursday, January 21, 6pm:
Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force: Peace Walk
Depart from City Hall, 6pm
Friday, January 22:
Memorial Motorcade, 10am, depart from Claiborne Ave. and Esplanade Ave.
Victims Memorial, 12noon, Steps of City Hall
Youth Resource picnics, Lyons Playground (Delachaise at Tchoupitoulas) and Bunny Friends Playground (Desire St. at Gallier St.)
Soccer in the Streets skills training and outreach, location TBD
5% Pledge to community-based public safety by local businesses
All Week:
Crime Happened Here public awareness campaign (signs available at 2700 Chartres Street, beginning January 14)
Also: Please continue to contact us with your plans and ideas for the week!
