A Louisiana judge has temporarily blocked state authorities' efforts to evict homeless encampments in New Orleans, thus halting an initiative that was set to take effect before three Taylor Swift concerts in the city scheduled for the weekend.
In their lawsuit, the homeless claimed that state police had violated their constitutional rights by illegally searching, confiscating, and destroying their property, disposing of their valuable belongings, and forcing them to leave the area. According to a legal observer, state police stated that "the governor wants them gone for the Taylor Swift concert."
State authorities argued that the homeless would be relocated about two blocks away, to a location where homeless individuals from the touristy French Quarter would also be moved. This measure aimed to alleviate housing shortages and security issues related to events such as concerts and the Super Bowl in February in New Orleans.
Judge Lori Jupiter granted a temporary restraining order on Friday, stopping the relocation attempts and ordering state police not to dispose of the property of homeless individuals without a judicial process. The order will remain in effect until November 4, in response to the lawsuit filed by those affected by the raid.
The court decision temporarily halts the eviction plans for homeless encampments in New Orleans amid controversies over constitutional rights and the relocation of homeless people in the city.
