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Statement on Hurricane Katrina (National Action Committee) Sept. 2, 2005 In behalf of the Socialist Party USA, our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones as well as homes and belongings from Hurricane Katrina. While not all lives could have been saved, the lack of concern by city and state officials over the community residents in New Orleans without the resources to leave is a crime against humanity. No attempts were made to help the 20% of New Orleans population who had no cars, money, or place to evacuate to. City evacuation plans left them there to die and put the resources into saving the survivors after the storm had passed, instead of helping them get out before. This 20% (or about 100,000) were those who are most affected by capitalism with an average per captia income of 1/3 of that of the white population of New Orleans. The working people of America continue to bare the brunt over the lack of concern for government investment in infrastructure and natural disaster planning. Money for the levies was cut and the money diverted to tax breaks for the rich (those able to flee and who have insurance) and the war in Iraq. Not enough National Guard troops are available to help because they are in Iraq. The Socialist Party USA calls for the following: Funds for Hurricane research and the National Hurricane center have been cut by the Bush Administration and should be restored; call for large-scale public investment in the construction of low cost, scattered site, community-based, high-quality housing that will sustain flooding and hurricane damage; call for the creation of fully funded public transportation systems between cities, with fares set low enough to be a viable alternative to the use of the automobile; end to the portrayal of "looters" in racial undertones; call to all community organizers across the country to come to the aid of those most in need in Louisiana and affected states. |
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Socialist Party
USA 339 Lafayette St. #303 New York, NY 10012 |