Blanco Ordered 'Shoot to Kill' instead of 'Search and Rescue'

PHRF Press Statement

January 3, 2007

Blanco Ordered “Shoot to Kill” Instead of “Search and Rescue”
NO Police Officers aren’t the only ones to blame for deaths of Brisette and Madison

The Peoples Hurricane Relief Fund condemns the actions of government officials in the aftermath of 2005’s deadly hurricanes. Instead of issuing an order to assist and rescue victims of Hurricane Katrina in the days following the flood, Governor Blanco issued an order to “shoot to kill” Katrina victims. This executive order resulted in the murders of James Brisette and Ronald Madison by the New Orleans Police Department. George Bush, FEMA, and the National Guard are equally to blame for those crimes and numerous other human rights violations including wrongful imprisonment, racial discrimination, neglect resulting in death, and the separation of children from families which all constitute crimes against humanity and are punishable under civil and human rights law.

The People’s Hurricane Relief Fund (PHRF), Mississippi Disaster Relief Coalition (MDRC), Black Activist Coalition on Katrina (BACK), and the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) will hold the US government accountable for these crimes against humanity committed against the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through an International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The tribunal will be held August 28th through September 2nd, 2007 in New Orleans. The goals of the Tribunal are not only to hold the US Government accountable for these crimes but also to win restitution and reparations for the survivors of their numerous human rights violations.

PHRF calls on anyone who was a victim or a witness to any of the countless crimes committed by government officials from August 29, 2005 to September 8, 2005 to come forward and testify at the International Tribunal. If you are interested in helping to organize, support, or contribute to the International Tribunal contact 504.301.0215 or email phrfoc [at] gmail [dot] com. Also visit www.peopleshurricane.org [2] for more information and updates.