Before Taylor Swift show in New Orleans, a homeless encampment is forced to move
Louisiana officials have begun moving a homeless encampment near the Superdome in New Orleans, days before three weekend concerts by Taylor Swift
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In anticipation of three Taylor Swift concerts, which could draw around 150,000 visitors to New Orleans' Superdome this weekend, state authorities on Wednesday began clearing a nearby homeless encampment.
Roughly 75 people who were living in tents beneath an overpass would be relocated roughly two blocks away, Louisiana State Police said. Advocates said the sweep would disrupt progress in finding long-term, permanent housing for those affected. Other people without shelter living in the historic, tourist-dependent French Quarter neighborhood would also be moved to the same location, officials said.
Gov. Jeff Landry's spokesperson said the move was taken to address homelessness and safety issues, linking the effort to the upcoming concerts and February's Super Bowl.
“As we prepare for the city to host Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward when on the world stage," Landry's communications director, Kate Kelly, said in a statement issued to local media.
