My Fellow Working Class People,

Since the beginning, the NOHWA has known that we must take action to get the rights we deserve. On March 9, we held a protest during Mayor Cantrell's press conference surrounding the local government's response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Since that day we have put forth demands that call for the city and state government to take action in the interests of the working people of Louisiana.

On March 16, we sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and City Council members demanding they implement additional emergency measures to help contain this pandemic and ensure the survival of workers and our families.

Thousands of workers have been laid off and excluded from eligibility for unemployment, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits.  We are told to come into work, and are fired for staying home. Delivery and takeout have been deemed "essential" but most of us haven't been given the proper protective gear to ensure our safety. This is no way to contain an epidemic! Louisiana has the fastest growth rate of COVID-19 in the world. We know we cannot successfully beat COVID-19 if having no income forces people to work when they shouldn't have to.

We call for these services to be SHUT DOWN and for the Governor to issue a mandate that all cities implement a city-wide food and necessities distribution program that helps the most in need.

We demand an expansion of Unemployment, SNAP, and Medicaid to ALL affected by COVID-19.

We demand that all essential workers be provided protective gear (PPE) and Hazard Pay.

Here's what you can do:

Send our letter to City Council Members, Governor Edwards, and Mayor Cantrell. Support the Demands of the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Alliance!

While some of our demands have been met, it is clearly not enough. All working class people of New Orleans must come together right now to fight for what is ours. Through this coming period, those of us who can stay home to help stop the spread of Covid-19, will continue to build and organize ourselves while taking social distancing very seriously. When this pandemic has run its course, we know we must take to the streets!

In Solidarity,

NOHWA