In spite of a temporary moratorium that social justice groups won against the city, which blocks attempts to bulldoze the homes of Lower 9th Ward residents, the city is still trying to destroy many homes. The moratorium, which ends on January 6th, 2006, is being circumvented by the city through its claim of eminent domain. Many New Orleans homeowners are in danger of losing their property to real estate speculators. Local residents are working alongside the Common Ground Collective, a grassroots organization that is working for the rights of displaced and neglected victims of Hurricane Katrina. They are protesting the city's action, and calling on people everywhere to get involved.

Common Ground's 9th Ward Organizer, Brandon Darby, is headlining a project to protect the rights of 9th Ward residents, many of whom are still scattered all over the country in temporary shelters. The Lower 9th Ward embodies the heart of a community that grew up with many generations of African-American families, and residents share a special pride in their homes and neighborhoods. This area was treated in a particularly atypically neglectful and discriminatory way by the city. Common Ground is reportedly having daily emergency meetings with the new Lower 9th Ward Community Council and other residents to organize against the land grab. Read more | Common Ground Collective website