From Elizabeth Johnson

On our last night in New Orleans, we Dirty Hands all
partied down on Bourbon St., celebrating a trip of our
lives. When my cell phone was stolen, a kind, local
man named Chris Jasmine flagged the thief and helped
me get it back. To thank him, I bought him drinks and
food. He took to us all, staying to party with us,
meeting a lot of Dirty Hands and loving our energy. As
we were leaving, he hugged me and teared up. "I don't
want you people to go. There just aren't people like
you. It's depressing around here, you don't know."

Prior to Katrina, Chris lived in the 9th Ward
downstairs from his 85 year old mother. When the storm
hit, the two of them climbed to the roof and rode the

house as it was swept away. He lost track of her in

the chaos - both were dispersed in Texas somewhere. He
hasn't see her or heard from her since, unsure whether
she is even still alive. Chris returned to New
Orleans, but as with so many who lost their homes,
became homeless, living as a tent dweller under the
bridge.

Just recently, things were looking up for Chris. FEMA
finally got him a place to live for one year, though

he has no furniture or job and has to pay his own

utilities. I've been in contact with him since we left
New Orleans, primarily through his sister Cat since he
doesn't have a phone, though he is sometimes able to
call from St Joseph's church. I've been trying to hook
him up with Dirty Hands to keep him moving forward,
get him furniture. He's been motivated and hopeful

since meeting all of us, and his job search was going
well.

But things took a downturn again yesterday. I got a

call from his sister, Cat, that he was arrested for
"public drunkenness." Since Katrina, the cops/military
police regularly haul off people randomly, especially
those under or associated with the bridge. They are
arrested with trumped up charges ranging from
drunkenness to trespassing, and a rap sheet is built
up quickly, so those with priors or warrants are held
even longer.

Chris is in jail at New Orleans Parish Prison (known
as OPP), right near the Superdome. Conditions in OPP
were notoriously bad right before the storm, but
afterwards are even worse. Buildings are still down,
black mold and evidence of toxic waste still remain,
overcrowding, neglect, violence, etc. still haunt the
place. This article from "Dollars & Sense: The
Magazine of Economic Justice," describes the
horrendous and chilling events at OPP right after the
storm:
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2006/0306gerharzhong.html

ACLU has put OPP on its national prison project,
calling it "Abandoned and Abused."

http://www.aclu.org/prison/conditions/26198res20060809.html

But a more recent piece from NPR, which mentions a
volunteer from Common Ground, shows that not much has
changed:
http://mustv.com/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12890196

It's shocking and shameful to me to hear that this is
America and that someone we know is there. What to do?

He's got a court date today, bond set at $300 but with
a prior warrant out, it's unclear what will happen.

Chris' story seems sadly all too typical in NO. Just

as you get a leg up, they cut off your arm.

Chris' sister and her husband want to get involved

with Dirty Hands, which will in turn help Chris when

he gets out. Getting locals involved in Dirty Hands is
key to our longevity, success, and reward. The
underlying and most despicable destruction of Katrina
is due not just from the buildings lost, but the
aftershock and breakdown of multi-generations of
families and communities who have not been allowed
back or are unable to contribute to their own
surroundings.

Some have become so overwhelmed by the obstacles, the
slow recovery, and the neglect that a futility has
taken over. I met one man who told me of the family he
misses. Before the storm his NO family was 100 strong,
going back to his great-great-grandmother. After the
storm, he was the only one left, the others either
dead or dispersed. Who do you turn to in times of
crisis when there's always crisis? Many of the locals
we saw like Malik and Augie at Common Ground were able
to activate their lives when they are offered hope,
work and community. Dirty Hands can be that
foundation, too.

Chris' sister Cat is a sweetheart and her husband is a

skilled carpenter, welder, painter looking for work. I

gave her Rev. Keen's number to help Dirty Hands, so
they can meet people that may lead to other positive
things. If anyone in NO has other ideas and for
updates on Chris, please contact them: Cat 504 312
8678

Chris is currently at Orleans Parish Prison,
Email : info@opcso.org
Mailing Address : 2800 Gravier St. New Orleans, LA
70119 Phone Number : 504-822-8000