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Black leaders urge voter engagement
Acadiana officials say effort needed to protect rights BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer
Black lawmakers and civil rights leaders gathered in Lafayette on Wednesday to launch a voter engagement effort they said is needed after Louisiana lawmakers eliminated one of the state’s two Black-majority congressional districts and ahead of November’s midterm elections. Members of the Acadiana delegation of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus joined the NAACP, Urban League, 100 Black Men and the Power Coalition for Equity &
Justice to encourage residents to register, vote and remain engaged at every level of government. Speakers repeatedly pointed to the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which allowed the elimination of one of Louisiana’s two Black-majority congressional districts and significantly reinterpreted the federal Voting Rights Act. They argued that voter participation will be critical in determining future representation and federal funding for Louisiana communities. “We just sat through a session where we saw them redraw the
congressional map to eliminate a Black-majority district,” state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, said. “We came tonight to begin a process of what we have control over. It’s not about rehashing the last legislative session. It’s about protecting rights from being taken away.” Black voters were underrepresented relative to parishwide voter registration by about 10% in Lafayette Parish during both the 2023 statewide elections and the 2024 presidential election, despite
PHOTO By ROBIN MAy
Louisiana Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, encourages the audience to get out the vote at the Power and Progress town hall in Lafayette on ä See VOTER, page 5A Wednesday.
Flash floods hammering Texas again
Region still reeling from last year’s devastation BY JESSE BEDAYN and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press
UVALDE, Texas — Rescuers aboard boats and helicopters saved dozens of stranded drivers and people trapped in homes from catastrophic flash floods in Texas in areas still reeling from devastating floods a year ago. At least one person was dead, Gov. Greg Abbott said, adding that it appeared many of the summer camps hit hard last year were not in danger. “Our No. 1 focus is saving lives,” he said. After days of pounding rain, the National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave” barreled down the same river wrecked by flash floods last summer when two dozen children and counselors were killed at Camp Mystic. Much like last year, the floods came in the middle of the night. But this time some residents in the Texas Hill Country said they received more warnings. Forecasters urgently warned, “Move to higher
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MIKALA COMPTON
ä See FLOODS, page 7A People gather to watch as the Pedernales River floods Ranch Road in Stonewall, Texas, on Thursday.
BR to honor fallen officers 10 years after deadly ambush BY BLAKE LESCHBER Staff writer
On July 17, 2016, six Baton Rouge law enforcement officers were shot in an ambush at a convenience store off Airline Highway, an attack that shocked the city. Three of them — Baton Rouge police Cpl. Montrell Jackson, Officer Matthew Gerald and sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola — died that day. A fourth, sheriff’s Sgt. Nick Tullier, succumbed to his wounds nearly six years later. On Friday, 10 years after the attack, the officers are being hon-
WEATHER HIGH 93 LOW 75 PAGE 10C
Montrell Jackson
Matthew Gerald
ored in what East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards calls a time “to remember the heroes who gave everything in service to our community.” At 8 a.m., members of the community are invited to walk from
time was chosen because the ambush happened about 8:40 a.m. Also, the Gulf Coast Brotherhood will be riding bicycles from the Slidell Police Memorial to BRPD headquarters. They are scheduled to arrive at 3 p.m. for a memorial service. Morse said the events are imporBrad Garafola Nick Tullier tant, as the families of the fallen the Baton Rouge Police Depart- officers will be in attendance. They ment headquarters at 9000 Airline show that those lost in the line of Highway to the site of the shooting, duty will always be remembered, Benny’s B-Quik at 9611 Airline. A he noted. “Also, for the law enforcement time of reflection and prayer will officers that are there, this is a be held there. Police Chief T.J. Morse said that chance that they know the public
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has their back and they can see, ‘Hey, if something like this ever happened to me, I know that I would still be remembered and my family would still be taken care of,’ ” Morse said. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said such events allow the community to come together and be mindful and respectful of everyone. “Remember that law enforcement and our community can be attacked at any time, and so you always have to be aware of poten-
ä See OFFICERS, page 5A
102ND yEAR, NO. 17