House The Houseless

There is an explosion of direct action in New Orleans, defending the rights of
unhoused people to shelter and life. During the pandemic and economic collapse, New
Orleans housing activists created a political space for people to come together.
Following frequent street demonstrations at New Orleans’ City Hall, activists
succeeded in getting the City to provide emergency housing in empty hotels starting in
August 2020. Now grassroots activists are renovating City-owned blighted houses with
the presently unhoused people that will live in them. Organized by The Greater New
Orleans Citizens Relief Team (GNOCRT), they are asking the city government and
those individuals with construction skills to assist in this dramatic and impactful
project.
Cole Williams, singer-songwriter-musician, recording artist, radio host on WWOZ 90.7
FM and key organizer, is leading this struggle with deep community participation and
her powerful songs of love and struggle. Her new album with the Cole Williams Band,
“Give Power to the People'' puts them in the tradition of Gil Scott-Heron, creating songs
that reflect the everyday experiences and hopes of Black people all around the world.
These songs are anthems of the Movement for Black Lives and certainly for people
struggling to make sense out of this dangerous and hopeful moment.
Organizers are working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to
spread the word through song and action, mirroring the strategies of the 1960’s Civil
Rights Movement. We are asking students from the HBCUs to step up and fulfill their
historic role in advancing civil and human rights of Black people and all people
suffering right now.
The plan of GNOCRT is to help presently unhoused people to participate in re-building
abandoned houses; in the process they will learn how to build communities that can be
self-sufficient in the face of disease and enforced poverty. The organizing that Ella
Baker taught and that created a successful and historic civil rights movement is the
bedrock of this organizing project: go to the poorest people, create a shared plan for
advancement, raise the spirits and awareness of our people, gain broad support and
make it happen. We see this as part of reparations to those most affected by historic
institutional racism.
GNOCRT is seeking the participation for both musical performances and information
sessions in HBCUs, faith organizations and other institutions and organizations
dedicated to support the efforts of this group.

linktr.ee/colewilliamsofficial (album)

https://www.change.org/p/new-orleans-...

https://www.gofundme.com/f/house-the-...