Can you believe it? Twelve hundred people out in the streets parading and protesting for the rights of Lower Mid-City residents and for the gutting and rebuilding of Charity Hospital. It was an inspiring sight to see and to experience, and we'd like to thank everyone who attended from the bottom of our hearts for their support. Working on this issue continues to be an absolute privilege for both of us.

Share your photos of the event at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/charityhospital/pool/

See video of the Second Line and Rally at:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=950DCC7FD0C0A89F

The overwhelming turnout at the parade and protest is further evidence of the rift between New Orleans residents and the politicians who represent them. A recent scientific survey by Dr. Ed Renwick has shown that New Orleans voters prefer the plan to build a modern teaching facility inside historic Charity Hospital by a margin of 2 to 1. Voters preferred candidates who support rebuilding inside historic Charity by a 4 to 1 margin. Seventy-one percent of voters want an independent cost-benefit analysis of the two competing hospital proposals and eighty-three percent want to see the public hearings mandated by municipal law.

Yesterday morning, we invited every elected official in New Orleans to our second line. We invited the Mayor, every member of Council, our Congressman, all our Representatives in the State House, and all of our State Senators.

Not a single one found time to attend.

We're as energized as ever to keep going until our elected officials are finally forced to consider the smarter alternative vision to build a cutting-edge medical center inside of historic Charity Hospital so that we can bring New Orleanians the jobs and healthcare they deserve in years less time, for hundreds of millions of dollars less money, and without destroying a neighborhood or displacing its residents.

We're going to be working to get as much photo and video of the second line cut up and posted this week for your enjoyment. If you were there and have photos or video, please share it on our flickr site http://www.flickr.com/groups/charityhospital/pool/ or send it in to savecharityhospital@gmail.com.

Extra thanks to the Rebirth Brass Band, the Hot 8 Brass Band, Rev. Norwood Thompson, Dr. Tlaloc Alferez, Wally Thurmond, Janet Hayes, Glen David Andrews, Platinum 3000, Handsome Willie's, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.