President Biden: "New Orleans defines strength"
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President Joe Biden talked about grief Monday night at an interfaith prayer service at the St. Louis Cathedral in memory of the victims of the Bourbon Street attack. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden mourned with New Orleans Monday night at a prayer service at the St. Louis Cathedral.
Why it matters: The community gathering was meant to help begin the healing after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people and injured at least 35 more.
The big picture: "New Orleans defines strength and resilience," Biden said, "whether it's in the form of this attack or hurricanes or superstorms. This city, its people get back up."
- He and First Lady Jill Biden laid flowers at the Bourbon Street memorial built by residents on their way to the cathedral. He also met two of the NOPD officers injured in the gunfight taking down the accused attacker.
- His comments at the service focused on grief, which he said he is too familiar with. His first wife and child were killed in a car wreck. His son died of brain cancer.
- "It's not the same," he said. "We know it's been five days staring at that empty chair around the kitchen table, without hearing their voice."
- "I promise you the day will come ... when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye. ... My prayer is that that day comes sooner rather than later."
Zoom in: Each of the names of the dead were read in the standing-room only cathedral: Kareem Badawi, Martin "Tiger" Bech, Drew Dauphin, Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, William "Billy" DiMaio, Hubert Gauthreaux, Reggie Hunter, Terrence Kennedy, Nicole Perez, Edward Pettifer, LaTasha Polk, Brandon Taylor, Matthew Tenedorio and Elliot Wilkinson.
- Biden and others placed candles for the dead and injured, while more than a dozen faith leaders offered prayers for healing, unity and peace.
- There were rabbis, imams, bishops and deacons from across the city, reflecting the diversity of the victims and New Orleans. Pope Francis also sent a message.
- Gov. Jeff Landry, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, NOPD chief Anne Kirkpatrick, Congressman Troy Carter, Gayle Benson, Mitch Landrieu, City Council members, first responders, law enforcement and officials across the region packed the pews.
In the room: The feeling was solemn and surreal, with many attendees talking about events earlier in the day for Twelfth Night to kick off the Mardi Gras season.
- The Joan of Arc procession was lining up elsewhere in the French Quarter while the Voices of Peter Claver choir members were singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" inside the cathedral.
