The Constitution, Delayed Promises, and the Fight for Safe Streets in New Orleans

The U.S. Constitution—when it was written in 1787—only included wealthy landowning men. It excluded Black people, Indigenous people, women, and even white men who didn’t own land. In fact, white men without property couldn’t vote until 1828—41 years after the constitution was written.

It has been a long struggle to win the rights we have today. Now, we see those same powerful interests working to strip away the progress people have fought for over the past century.

The only way to continue advancing the struggle for full human and economic rights is through organization. Together, we have a collective voice—and that is the only way we’ll see meaningful infrastructure changes in New Orleans.

Even one death is unacceptable. Yet from 2019 to 2023, 297 people were killed and over 47,000 were injured on New Orleans roadways. On St. Claude Avenue alone, two of our own community members were victims of traffic violence in the last two weeks.

Law enforcement has shown itself either unwilling or unable to enforce traffic law. The real solution lies in separated bike lanes, extended pedestrian crosswalks, floating bus stops, and other design measures that prevent our streets from being treated like freeways.

Follow us on instagram for updates, continue to ride with us, sign our petition for a safer St. Claude, and consider volunteering with CMN.

In Solidarity,

—Eric Gabourel