Common Ground Collective Calls for Help in Communicating with 9th Ward Residents of NOLA

Urgent: Common Ground collective calls for help in informing New Orleans 9th Ward residents of the efforts being made to help them return to their community.

Common Ground Collective is a local, community-run organization offering assistance, mutual aid and support to New Orleans communities that have been historically neglected and underserved. Common Ground's teams of volunteers include: medical and health providers, aid workers, community organizers, legal representatives and people from all over with broad skills from all walks of life. Common Ground is asking people to visit the New Orleans evacuees in their area’s shelters and talk with them about the efforts being made to get them home. This can be done by printing out the 9th ward flyer and bring it to shelters. Information and talking points can be obtained by going to http://www.commongroundrelief.org and by calling Common Ground 9th Ward Coordinator Brandon Darby (512) 912-8000.

Common Ground Collective efforts have begun to take shape in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. The 9th ward has gained international media attention since hurricane Katrina due to the severity of flooding the area has received along with the human rights violations and neglect the residents have suffered at the hands of the New Orleans Police Department and the State government of Louisiana.

The city and state governments have attempted to purchase land from the areas residents for decades in order to expand the Industrial Canal and allow a cruise ship line to build it's hub in the region. The 9th hasn't received any aid or clean up efforts from any state, city, or non-profit agencies. Local realtors and business are pushing to have the entire area bull-dozed so that the city can get a "new face." Garbage, decaying animals, and other debris remain untouched while other areas in the city are receiving services. Common Ground volunteers are currently placing information sheets on every door of the 9th Ward urging residents to return home, organize, help each other, and resist the city's efforts to destroy their community for profits. Common Ground is addressing the city's lack of garbage and trash pick up by removing the trash from the neglected 9th and placing it in the neutral area of main boulevards away from homes; thus, forcing the city to do trash pick up. Common Ground is forming relationships with 9th Ward community elders in an attempt to aid them and be in solidarity with them. Community meetings
where residents can share thoughts and solutions are soon to be called.