Swift action: Louisiana relocates homeless camps before concerts
The authorities in the U.S. state of Louisiana have decided to relocate several camps for homeless people. This is due to Taylor Swift's concerts and the upcoming Super Bowl game. Human rights activists and local officials are outraged.
New Orleans is preparing for a series of Taylor Swift concerts and the expected influx of the star's fans. Local officials estimate that the event will bring approximately 150,000 people to the city. In light of this, the governor of Louisiana has decided to relocate homeless individuals who are camping near the venue where the singer is set to perform.
As reported by lailluminator.com, last Wednesday, Louisiana state police officers carried out an operation to clear a homeless camp on Calliope Street, despite strong objections from City Hall. Officials reported that the camp residents would be moved to "a centralized area that provides better access to services and ensures a safer environment."
State authorities claim that the relocation is meant to ensure the safety of those coming to New Orleans. However, the governor's decision has sparked outrage among New Orleans' local officials and human rights activists.
According to city authorities, their actions directly conflict with the city's ongoing efforts to provide stable, long-term housing solutions for homeless community members before "eliminating" camps.
Human rights activists are incensed
While human rights activists criticize the authorities' decision, labelling it a misuse of taxpayers' money, they express relief that the camp is being relocated rather than dismantled entirely.
A camp resident, Terrence Cobbins, also spoke out. In an interview with AP, he emphasized that the decision to relocate was very surprising to him. As he stated, such drastic measures have not been taken before other concerts. "They ain't never did it before for other people. Why Taylor Swift?" Cobbins said.
