KatrinaAction.org for Real Action for Real Relief Now,
A Just Recovery, And Nothing Less!
All of us at the Praxis family are deeply concerned about the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Katrina and the lack of response in the aftermath. However, as much as hurricanes are "natural" disasters, we believe that Katrina's huge death toll is a result of man made policies. The fact is that our public infrastructure has been racialized. Public health and public works are devalued because politicians do not want to risk their political currency helping "those people." Nearly 6 months later, the tragic lack of public investment that led to this disaster is being exacerbated by an appalling response that channels resources away from Gulf coast community residents. We must act to ensure real relief, a just recovery, and nothing less.
Tell your Senators, it's their job to uncover the truth about how this great tragedy occurred and to take steps to ensure a just recovery. On September 14th, the Senate voted against an independent investigation on the handling of Hurricane Katrina. Send a form letter to "Call For Accountability", here (and click here to see the roll call vote to find out how your Senators stood).
Every week, KatrinaAction.org sends 30 second actions from restoring voting rights to long-term housing for survivors. Please join our efforts today
Download a strategy memo (PDF, 93K) from The Praxis Project and Youth Media Council on local mobilizing and media advocacy.
Learn what you can do to affect Hurricane Katrina media coverage. (MS Word, 35K)
Listen to Kanye West on government inaction in the face of the crisis. Act now to support Kanye West by emailing him at sitesupport@rocafella.com and kanye@fanessentials.com.
Join public health experts in a call to "Revitalize Public Health in the Gulf Coast." (MS Word, 30K)
Learn more about the human rights implications and join the call for a UN investigation:
Read Think Progress timeline documenting gaps in Katrina government response .
We are also urging support for St. Thomas Health Clinic, a critical, community-based health justice institution in New Orleans that was devastated by the hurricane. St. Thomas Health Clinic works in the most impoverished wards in the city. They did not have enough resources to purchase insurance and need our help to rebuild. Please send checks payable to St. Thomas Health Services (their online capacity is down) to St. Thomas Clinic, 1020 Andrews Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Donations are tax deductible. For more on St. Thomas Clinic click here.
To donate to other local relief efforts, on the next page are a few of the many worthy groups in the region needing our support. Project South is also working to coordinate regional efforts. Visit their website at www.projectsouth.org for more information.