NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 21 (BNA): New Orleans’ annual Carnival season entered its spirited climax Tuesday, as thousands of revelers are expected to pack the French Quarter and line miles of parade roads for a citywide Mardi Gras celebration fueled by this year’s violent crime fears and unrest. political.
Gunfire that broke out during a military parade Sunday night killed a teenager and injured four others, including a 4-year-old girl.
Police quickly arrested Mansour Mbodj, 21, for illegally carrying a gun, then raised the charge to second-degree murder, according to the Associated Press.
Officials stressed on Monday that the shooting was an isolated event.
The violence appeared to have little effect on Monday night’s crowds. St. Charles Street, including the area where the shooting took place, is once again lined with people dancing, drinking and eating in a tailgate football atmosphere as they await the evening’s parades. The French Quarter was full of parties.
Revelers paid no heed to crime at an afternoon event by the river celebrating the King and Queen of this year’s Zulu Social Aid.
“I think whatever it was, it was a private dispute that took place in a public place,” said Chris Flug of New Orleans, referring to the shooting Sunday night.
“It’s always sad when gun violence kills, but it shouldn’t pollute a city or an event. You can’t predict people’s behavior.”
The crime contributed to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s dissatisfaction. She won re-election handily in 2021, but has battled a myriad of political problems since then, including criticism about crime, the slow pace of high street reforms and questions about her personal use of the city-owned French Quarter apartment.
A petition of no confidence launched last year approached its deadline on Wednesday. Elaine Carter, one of the organizers, said she believes the movement has enough signatures, but will make a last-minute push.
“We’re going to have people roaming the parade avenues,” Carter said. “This has been really helpful for us.”
Fueling political unrest: Cantrell was caught on social media video pointing to a motorcade passing through the city parade over the weekend. What triggered this gesture was unclear.
The mayor’s press office did not respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press. A statement provided to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate sheds little light.
“Mardi Gras is a time when sarcasm and banter are on full display,” Army spokesman Gregory Joseph said in a prepared statement. “The city is enjoying a safe and healthy Carnival,” the statement said, adding that the mayor looks forward to continuing the celebration.
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the culmination of the Carnival season, which officially begins each year on January 6, the twelfth day after Christmas, and ends with the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
The New Orleans raucous party is the most famous in the country, but the holiday is also celebrated throughout most of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Mobile, Alabama, claims to be the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the country.