NEW ORLEANS — Raymond Scott, an unhoused New Orleans resident, has now alleged class-wide allegations in his complaint against the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation. The lawsuit seeks to prevent these state entities from evicting unhoused residents and seizing their property without constitutional protections as part of a campaign of “Superdome sweeps” – a concerted effort from these government entities to clear high-traffic tourist areas of people who are experiencing homelessness. The class action would provide relief to all unhoused residents who have been or will be subjected to these sweeps. The MacArthur Justice Center, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Most & Associates are representing Mr. Scott and the putative class in this lawsuit. 

Eric Foley, senior counsel, Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center, said: “New Orleans is renowned for its year-round hospitality to visitors, but our city’s unhoused residents are at risk in this holiday season from the unhospitable actions of state agencies, acting at cross-purposes with our local government’s efforts to house people. Mr. Scott and the class of unhoused residents he seeks to represent simply want these agencies to respect their basic constitutional rights. New Orleans should be as hospitable to its residents as to its tourists.” 

Anjana Joshi, senior attorney, economic justice, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), said: “This lawsuit was amended to reflect the multitude of voices of unhoused people in New Orleans. We are pleased that the court issued a preliminary injunction requiring Defendants to respect the state and federal constitutional rights of the unhoused. We would prefer that the State stop conducting sweeps altogether and instead prioritize solutions to the crisis of homelessness by bolstering the City’s efforts to transition people into housing and provide other important resources. But if the state chooses to conduct additional sweeps leading up to events at the Caesars Superdome, such as the Sugar Bowl in January and the Super Bowl in February, then we hope it will adhere to the Court’s order.”    

Earlier this month, the Orleans Civil District Court granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Louisiana State Police and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from proceeding with the sweeps without regard to state and federal constitutional law. Two temporary restraining orders (TROs) also were previously issued in the case but while the second TRO was in place, the state continued to conduct sweeps unlawfully. This lawsuit aims to ensure that the State follows constitutional requirements if it carries out future sweeps in New Orleans. 

Eric Foley, senior counsel, Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center and Anjana Joshi, senior attorney, economic justice, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) are both available for interview. 

To schedule an interview with Mr. Foley, please contact media@macarthurjustice.org 

To schedule an interview with Ms. Joshi, please contact press@splcenter.org