Musician and activist Cole Williams as well as veteran organizer Curtis Muhammad have organized daily demonstrations outside of Duncan Plaza to advocate for cleaner, safer spaces to hold homeless people as they live in transition on the street. The demonstrations take place outside of City Hall in New Orleans every morning beginning at 8 a.m. This is one of several initiatives started by Williams and Muhammad to address homelessness in the area, especially as the needs of people grew in the wave of the COVID-19 crisis.
There are an estimated 1,200 homeless people in New Orleans. To offer support, Williams and Muhammad assisted New Orleans homeless people to collectivize and protest outside City Hall every morning until they are offered proper living spaces. A documentary on this “Homes for the Houseless” project is being filmed by Lily Keber and Jordan Flaherty. Footage features interviews with organizers Williams and Muhammad, as well as clips from the daily demonstrations.
Near the 4:00 mark in the Democracy Now clip below, homelessness in New Orleans was addressed.
Reverend Manning from Justice and Beyond is a collaborator of the project who shares passion for opening safer, cleaner spaces for people living on the street. The goal of the project is to shed light on the homeless population that was overlooked during the COVID-19 crisis, who have no steady housing to isolate in, do not have the space to socially distance, and do not have access to testing or government stimulus aid. The demonstrations stand for housing opportunities for the homeless in New Orleans.
The ongoing Homes for the Houseless initiative began earlier this year. On March 10, the two hosted their first weekly concert, Love Under The Bridge, which took place under the Claiborne bridge. The event shared music, food and more to the homeless communities living under the bridge. New Orleans musicians Percy Williams and Father Ron participated in the event.
“Love Under the Bridge” concert advocating for the homeless in New Orleans. Photo by Michael Alford.
The experience brought Cole Williams closer to the realities that the homeless face and allowed her to better understand how to navigate her efforts moving forward. One week after Love Under The Bridge, the COVID-19 pandemic reached New Orleans and Williams shifted her efforts to address homelessness in the face of a global health crisis. With the support of other concerned citizens, Williams formed The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team who seek to take action for marginalized voices and advocate for homeless seeking equitable living.
Moving forward, Williams and The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team are continuing to advocate for and address the injustices experienced by the homeless.
“Music has always been the soundscape to life and outlined our present and future realities,” says Williams. “Musicians assist in the progress of our communities and societies by using their platforms to speak on injustice, documenting these injustices in song and using lyric to tell the world of a happier future.”
Musicians are encouraged to join the relief efforts through sharing their talents as a resource to call for equitable housing. Any musician interested can get in contact with Cole Williams at [email protected] or The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team at [email protected].
