Some interesting first hand accounts from the New Orleans & Superdome are popping up as well as the start of at least one documentary.
- Larry Bradshaw and Lorrie Beth Slonsky are paramedics from San Francisco. Their account includes being turned away from the Superdome, lied to, shot at and had their food and water stolen by police. Racial motivation is implicated. The police formed a wall across the bridge and fired at people as they tried to across the bridge flee to their city. (CNN Interview Video )
- Paul’s Superdome Story.
- George & Margaret, New Zealanders in the Superdome.
- Dumas Carter, 30yo LOPD officer on duty at the Superdome.
- They Bombed the Levees sacrificing homes to save a tourist trap.
Paul’s comparison to Lord of the Flies seems to be a common theme. The Bradshaw/Slonsky account perhaps sums it up well:
“This was a process we saw repeatedly in the aftermath of Katrina. When individuals had to fight to find food or water, it meant looking out for yourself only. You had to do whatever it took to find water for your kids or food for your parents. When these basic needs were met, people began to look out for each other, working together and constructing a community.”
Unfortunately Arthur Lawson, the Sheriff of Gretna across the bridge didn’t seem to get care. His only motivation seemed to be protecting his little kingdom. If people die, they die, but they can’t mess up my town on the way out.
“Just as dusk set in, a Gretna Sheriff showed up, jumped out of his patrol vehicle, aimed his gun at our faces, screaming, “Get off the fucking freeway”. A helicopter arrived and used the wind from its blades to blow away our flimsy structures. As we retreated, the sheriff loaded up his truck with our food and water.”