Fascism doesn't belong in New Orleans, and people should start acting like it
Recently while people were distracted by Jazz Fest, there were multiple incidents involving Nazi symbolism here in New Orleans with little to no outcry from elected officials and prominent members of our community. Local writer John Stanton’s piece on fascists in the French Quarter is the most vocal piece I've seen on the incident, buried in The Gambit section of our city’s “source of truth” NOLA.com. The Ohm Lounge didn't have too much issue with a performer wearing a swastika on stage with Waka Flocka. If there's a room full of people not immediately leaving or interrupting a show when a fascist symbol of hate is adorned, what does that say about our city?
Complacency is comfortable, like the eye of a storm is calm. We must loudly reject fascism’s presence in New Orleans. While ICE abducts a child with cancer months after they were hanging out on the St. Charles parade route, how does this make you feel? Will the people claiming it's antisemitic to oppose the genocide in Gaza loudly condemn the owner not shutting down the performance featuring a swastika? When Nazi symbols start appearing more in our city, will you be a patron at the Kit Kat Klub in Cabaret while fascism floods all around you, letting the good times roll?
Local cyclist Eric Gabourel wrote a piece about punching fascists, but more importantly speaks about how fighting fascism isn't just about literally fighting them. We need unions and electeds to start vocally standing against fascism, not just in word or likes on Instagram but in action. I've seen joint statements released by the City Council about the mayor's travel patterns but not condemning skinheads doing Nazi salutes on Decatur. Workers at venues that allow symbols of hate to be worn freely and openly need to organize and shut down their place of work until they can have a safe workplace. Neighbors in the French Quarter and CBD should picket places that patronize fascists. People that are outraged by this should join organizations that are fighting fascism. Thankfully, people have been marching and rallying, and if you haven't joined them, then maybe you should show up to the next one. Mass movements require a mass of people, so get your mass out there!
Resistance to fascism is in the very soil of New Orleans. We brag about fighting fascists at the WW2 Museum but hear nary a word about the club blocks away hosting a performer wearing a swastika. We honor the French and Spanish heritage of our city and dishonor their fights for life against fascism. We uplift the heroes in the struggle against Jim Crow and must continue their legacy of resistance.
Let's do better New Orleans. Only you can prevent fascism.
Bob Murrell is a dad and husband in New Orleans. He is a New Orleans DSA endorsed candidate for City Council.