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mon for the groups while practicing. “if you go to indian practice, part of it is to line up,” while suited up outside on a sidewalk, HarrisonNelson said. “Because they’re not culturally aware, they call it loitering.” she added that similar standards don’t seem to apply citywide. “if you drove Uptown, up to Tulane, you see all these people standing around outside. what’s the difference?” At the meeting, Creole Osceolas Chief Clarence Dalcour pointed out that, especially during Carnival season, costumed people are allowed to be on the streets all night without having to worry about police intervention. He asked that police simply treat indians as they do
would commit to promising that “they won’t be shut down at 6 p.m.,” all present NOPD officials finally agreed. Bouyelas said NOPD had also agreed to stop following and corralling the tribes with their cars and not to flash their lights or sound their sirens at Mardi Gras indians, allowing chiefs more autonomy to police their own tribes, which was welcome news to many present. Bouyelas also promised to identify and give out contact information for someone in the department who will act as a point person for complaints about NOPD harassment of indians on Mardi Gras and st. Joseph’s Day. “we’re working to make sure
“It is our right to be in our community at 6 o’clock. There’s a legacy of (NOPD) telling people to get off the street.” — Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Big Queen of the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society everyone has a great day. ... we’re one big family,” said Darryl Montana, the son of Tootie Montana and chief of the Yellow Pocahontas. According to civil rights attorney Mary Howell, who spoke at the meeting, former NOPD Deputy superintendent Marlon Defillo filled the role of point person through last year. But Defillo retired in July 2011 in the midst of negligence allegations surrounding the internal investigation of the post-Katrina police killing of Henry Glover. “we need someone who gets it,” Howell said. Harrison-Nelson told Gambit that she has followed up with 5th District Commander Christopher Goodly since the meeting. “i made it perfectly clear to him that we just want to do what we do and i’m not looking for the police to come after me with flashing lights,” she said, adding Goodly seemed accommodating. she hopes the same is true throughout the department. “i’m optimistic but i’m a realist,” she said. “i’ll confirm my optimism on Ash wednesday.”
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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > february 14 > 2012
parade krewes and other late-night revelers. “we look at this as something we do for the community,” Dalcour said. “we are all paying tribute to the holiday in our own way. ... i don’t understand how it closes when the sun goes down for some people and not others.” Asked by Guidry and District C Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer (the only committee members present at the meeting) to commit not to enforce a 6 p.m. curfew on Mardi Gras indians, Bouyelas balked, saying there needed to be further discussion prior to Mardi Gras and mentioning “permit issues.” Bouyelas’ mention of permits drew an angry response from chiefs who pointed out that permits would necessitate tribes sticking to a specific, pre-determined route. Chiefs at the meeting explained that indian tribes are engaged in a type of stylized “war game,” essentially a modified version of hide-and-seek. A permit requirement would undermine the entire tradition. “There will be no permit. There’s never been a permit,” Guidry said. Asked later by Palmer if police
parade in your shades
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