NEW ORLEANS – Approximately 300 children and families gathered at Longue Vue Gardens today for a Children’s March for Racial Justice, hosted by the ACLU of Louisiana. The event included youth performances, a book reading, a march, and a creative exercise facilitated by New Orleans artist Brandan “BMike” Odums where children and families envisioned a safer world without police violence.
Nearly 60 years after hundreds of children were injured or arrested as part of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade, the goal of the Children’s March was to provide a safe space for young people to learn about the Black Lives Matter Movement; develop the skills to identify and interrupt racism in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities; and make their voices heard about the future they want to build.
“What we saw today overwhelmed and inspired us: children and families coming together to envision a safer, more just world – without police violence, without racial terror, and without systemic injustice,” said Alanah Odoms Hebert, ACLU of Louisiana executive director. “These are the conversations our families and communities need to have if we’re going to confront institutionalized racism and raise an anti-racist generation that will dismantle white supremacy once and for all.”
Attendance was strictly limited to allow for social distancing and masks were required.
The event was sponsored by: Gucci Changemakers, NOCCI Event Management & Logistics, Longue Vue House & Gardens, Grow Dat, The Bardell Company, LLC, Ben & Jerry’s, Kulcher Polk Weiner, LLC, StudioBE, CrescentCare, BAMM Communications, Grace & Glory Family Worship Church International, Dancing Grounds, Kentwood Springs, Brass Roots, Youth Run NOLA, Community Book Center, Project Butterfly, Rayne Memorial Methodist Church, STEM NOLA, Women’s Energy Network, Resourcefull Consulting, Bayou Brands, Purple Monkey Design, Our Voice Nuestra Voz, Body B Fit, Kickboard, and Seventh Generation.
