NEW ORLEANS — On Monday, a judge rescheduled a hearing to determine how homeless encampment sweeps will be handled in the future.
“The judge said on the record she took this seriously, and this is a serious matter,” Encampment Residents’ Attorney William Most said.
Two weeks ago, Judge Lori Jupiter granted a temporary restraining order filed by encampment residents, pausing sweeps, after Louisiana State Police abruptly cleared several homeless camps before the Taylor Swift concerts.
“People from seven encampments were moved to one small space,” Most said.
Judge Ethel Julien rescheduled Monday’s hearing for next week after state attorneys claimed the plaintiff’s original handwritten affidavits were typed and submitted with alterations.
Most says those changes were inconsequential.
“Minor changes were made. Things like LSP became Louisiana State Police,” Most said.
The sweeps received mixed feedback from state and local leaders.
“Governor Landry, had you talked to us, and had you known our plan, you would understand that we had a system in place to get people housed,” New Orleans Council Member Lesli Harris said during the sweeps.
“Those men and women of the State Police and Wildlife and Fisheries conducted themselves in the most professional and compassionate manner,” State Representative Alonzo Knox said.
A Louisiana State Police Representative told WWL in a statement, “Our legal team in conjunction with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office is reviewing the temporary restraining order.”
The defense referred us to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office for comment. We are waiting to hear back from her.
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