Human Rights For Hurricane Katrina Survivors
International human rights standards protect victims of disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Amnesty International USA calls upon authorities in the local, state and federal government to uphold the rights of all Katrina evacuees to return to their homes. We urge officials to provide long-term, healthy, and affordable housing so that survivors can exercise their right to return.
» Read the Katrina Anniversary Statement 2009 (PDF)
» View the Story of Katrina slideshow
» The Right to Return: Rebuilding the Gulf through the Framework of International Human Rights
Trouble the Water documentary
Trouble the Water is coming to a theater near you! Based on footage shot by Kimberly Rivers Roberts, an aspiring New Orleans rapper, the film depicts the experience of 9th Ward residents trapped in New Orleans during the hurricane. Trouble the Water won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. | Learn more about the movie | Find a screening!| Download the film guide (PDF)
Host a meetup at a local screening, or join a meetup near you! Email katrina@aiusa.org for more information.
News
Tom Morello's Justice tour
Sweet Home New Orleans, a musicians' relief organization, joined Amnesty International USA for two days of education, advocacy and music.
» Read more about Tom Morello's Justice Tour in New Orleans
» See pictures from the event on Flickr
Housing as a Human Right
The right to adequate housing guarantees access to a safe, habitable, and affordable home with protection against forced eviction. After nearly three years, Hurricane Katrina survivors are still defending their rights to proper housing.
» Learn why housing is a human right
Demand Dignity Campaign
Amnesty International believes that everyone everywhere has the human right to essential health care and housing, as well as clean water, food, education and decent work. Everyone has the right to security, both physical and economic; to freedom from discrimination; and to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. The continuing plight of those displaced by Hurricane Katrina and of the residents of New Orleans highlights the failure of the United States to fulfill the human rights of its citizens. Amnesty International, as the world’s largest grassroots human rights movement, is committed to preventing and ending grave abuses of human rights and demanding justice for those whose rights have been violated. Our new Demand Dignity Campaign will mobilize people throughout the world to defend everyone’s right to live with dignity and combat abuses that target the poor.
» Learn more about the Demand Dignity Campaign
Survivor Stories
Lafitte public housing is one of many affordable housing options that are being taken away from Hurricane Katrina survivors. Many public housing units are being demolished to make way for more expensive housing developments. Odessia Lewis lived in Lafitte public housing prior to Hurricane Katrina.
» Read Odessia's story
Actions
Urge Congress to amend the Stafford Act to meet international human rights standards
