The caravan of medics from the Bay Area Radical Health Collective and other local activists arrived in New Orleans on the evening of Monday, September 12. One truck made it into the city before the dusk-to-dawn curfew, while the others persuaded officers to let them through the checkpoint by showing their EMT licenses.
The medics on the ground report that the situation is surreal and extremely militarized, with armed soldiers and police everywhere. Some areas are still underwater or smoldering, and travel after dark is prohibited.
“Driving over the bridge into the city, it was dark and really eerie. We were kind of spooked, to tell the truth,” reports BARHC medic Dixie Block. “On the way out here, we questioned whether we should have come, but it was totally the right thing to do. The situation here is so serious.”
Growing packs of dogs roam the streets, bodies of the deceased are still uncollected, and there are reports of armed white vigilantes. Authorities are doing aerial spraying to control mosquitoes, and the atmosphere is described as highly toxic.
Nevertheless, Algiers, a New Orleans neighborhood on the dry side of the Mississippi River, remains largely intact. “There are many beautiful homes that are still habitable,” Block says. The neighborhood has running water, and electricity was recently restored. While there is little working infrastructure in New Orleans itself, it is possible to drive to stores in surrounding parishes for medicine, food, and other supplies.
“It’s not until you approach New Orleans that your realize there’s been a major disaster,” reports Michael Kozart, a doctor with BARHC. “The people who are suffering are actually cut off from the rest of the region.”
Medics have established a clinic and relief effort – named Common Ground - near the Masjid Bilal Mosque in Algiers, and are working with long-time community activist Malik Rahim. Food Not Bombs has set up a kitchen to feed people, and activists are distributing non-medical supplies such as diapers. Those with vehicles have been driving residents to pharmacies in nearby parishes to refill their prescriptions. Communications are described as sporadic, but they’ve been able to get messages out via cell phone and wireless e-mail.
Days after the initial crew from MayDay-DC set up the clinic, FEMA finally arrived on the scene. Government officials are now providing medical aid, have set up a relief center near the local public hospital, and are supplying some medications - but many residents find their heavily armed presence intimidating.
“The military is running around in Humvees with loudspeakers blaring instructions,” Kozart says, in an apparent attempt to direct residents away from the grassroots effort. “It feels like they are competing with us for patients.”
“The contrast between the ugliness of the militarized government response and the grassroots effort couldn’t be more clear,” he adds. “Would you rather be escorted by guys with M-16s at the official medical station, or get help from people you know and recognize? It’s a totally different paradigm of care.”
At the same time, the situation is not without its surprises. One activist in Algiers reports that a renegade National Guard group procured supplies from FEMA to give to the anarchists.
Now, with immediate emergency needs being met, the challenge is to lay the groundwork for the long haul.
Activists on the ground are pretty well stocked with medical supplies, and, says Kozart, have set up a “really solid clinic.” Some needs remain, including vitamins, glucose test strips, non-DEET insect repellent, office supplies, and things like extension cords and power strips. Herbs and other supplies will need to be replenished on an ongoing basis. But, given the fluidity of the situation, it is suggested that it may be preferable to donate money - so residents and activists can buy what they need nearby - rather than shipping or delivering material donations. Community meetings are held regularly to decide how to distribute funds, and they are in the process of setting up a bank account and a P.O. box.
The real need now is for more volunteers, especially those with medical training. There are about nine medics currently working at the clinic and doing house visits. The BARHC team plans to leave at the end of the week, and by then the MayDay-DC team will have been on the ground for nearly two weeks, so there’s a need for new workers to rotate in as these teams rotate out. Incoming activists should expect to be self-sufficient in terms of tents, sleeping bags, and food (though water and food can be purchased in nearby parishes).
Everyone emphasizes the importance of approaching things in a spirit of “solidarity not charity.” Community organizers and visiting activists are working together to establish a long-term, locally controlled operation. Food Not Bombs is setting up a permanent kitchen that residents can use after they leave. With electricity restored, activists are also working to establish a local independent media center, stressing the importance of bringing in journalists of color to cover the grassroots efforts of the local Black community as they resist government attempts to take over the city.
“This is going to be a long-term thing,” says Block. “The people here may be used to living under martial law, since that’s what it’s always like for them, but it’s really disgusting what’s going on.”
(Reported by Liz Highleyman in San Francisco on behalf of the BARHC team in New Orleans, September 13.)