City leaders explore Mardi Gras registry for banned riders
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City Council President JP Morrell. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
New Orleans officials want to create a registry of people who have been kicked out of Mardi Gras krewes as a warning to others to think twice about their behavior.
Why it matters: This past Mardi Gras was marred by complaints of racist behavior and aggressive bead throwing.
The big picture: City Council President JP Morrell also suggested creating a standing-room-only zone at parades, moving chairs and ladders back even farther.
- The ideas were part of the council's annual debrief Monday where they looked at what worked and what didn't.
What worked: Muses rolled earlier this year, allowing cleanup to finish earlier.
- Expect more parades to roll earlier next year, Morrell said.
What didn't: Cleanup and rule enforcement continued to be a problem.
- People set up too early on the route, and the rules weren't widely enforced. Council members said they were looking into a third-party contractor to pick up chairs, tents and tarps left overnight.
- They also want to cut down on plastic wrapping bags for beads, which blow around and are hard to clean up.
- Several krewes are expected to be fined $500 each for using confetti cannons.
Friction point: Councilmember Jason Hughes left the dais in frustration during a presentation from Tucks leadership about what happened in their parade.
- Two krewe members reportedly hung Black dolls by their necks with beads, which Hughes said reminded him of people who were lynched.
- He asked the three krewe leaders at the meeting if they thought it was racist, and he grew visibly upset when they hedged.
- "The act was racist, plain and simple, and it has no place in Mardi Gras and it has no place in our city, and it's a horrific reflection of everybody," he said to applause from the audience.
Zoom in: Tucks and other krewes said they were investigating what happened during their parades, with many saying they were waiting on information from the New Orleans Police Department.
- NOPD gave warnings this year and kicked riders off floats. Captains said they told NOPD to arrest problematic riders in the future.
- The council is also working with NOPD to make sure reports are made in the future, with names and witnesses.
- Those will be used when deciding consequences, they said. The registry is one option they are exploring.
How it will work: The registry would list the name of the person kicked out of a krewe and the reason for being kicked out, Morrell said.
- He said the registry would serve as a deterrent, warning other krewes about the liability they assume by admitting someone with a history of misconduct.
- He said he's working with the city attorney to see what the council can legally do.
What we're watching: The council says it is looking at increasing permit fees for viewing stands and parades.
- Plus, bills are moving through the Louisiana Legislature that would allow officials to issue tickets to people not following the rules.
What's next: Morrell says the council will levy fines by May.