A New Orleans group is garnering support and attention for events it is planning in honor of Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary.
August 29 marks the day the catastrophic storm hit 20 years ago, devastating New Orleans and surrounding areas. That’s not to mention families who lost loved ones.
WDSU reporter Shay O’Connor spoke with organizer Sess 4-5, who said, “We have been putting a lot of effort into this since last year, really. After the 19th anniversary, we really just got straight to work.”
The goal for organizers: “You will see tens of thousands of people come out. This will be one of the biggest Katrina commemorations ever,” said Sess.
Sess is an organizer with New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Inc. and a 9th Ward native. For him, it’s deeper than events.
He remembers where he was and exactly what he was doing when he first found out that Hurricane Katrina would impact the city, deciding to evacuate with his family.
Sess said, “Just being aware of the storm. I was like the typical New Orleanian. Thinking, this hurricane won’t do anything. I didn’t want to leave. The aftermath of what the citizens had to go through, watching that, I just want to be a part of making change.”
It’s why he has helped to organize a Katrina march and second line in the Lower 9th Ward yearly to remember the lives lost and to give survivors a time of healing every August 29.
But this year’s will be bigger and better than ever.
“I just know it’ll be a great day. A great turnout. And we just want to get more people involved,” said Sess.
The group has also helped to turn August 29 into a state holiday. Katrina Commemoration Inc. has a bunch of events leading up to the day.
Find out more about those events here.
READ MORE:A New Orleans group plans several events centered on 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
