"As NOT seen on T.V."--A benefit show and film screening for Common Ground Collective in New Orleans

“As NOT seen on T.V.”—A benefit show and film screening for Common Ground Relief in New Orleans

Come out for an evening of music, food, film, and information in an effort to raise money and awareness about Common Ground Relief and the struggle that continues in the Gulf Coast region.

What: Benefit show, film screening, and photo presentation about Common Ground Collective and its relief efforts presented by Rochester Indymedia, Social Action Network of RIT, and local activists who spent time in New Orleans aiding Common Ground
When: Sunday, May 20th, 5:30PM to 9:45PM
Where: St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality located at 402 South Avenue, Rochester, NY
Cost: $7 – No one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds go to Common Ground Collective
Wheelchair Accessible

Schedule:
5:30PM: Doors Open
5:45PM: Music Starts (Tim Avery (folk), Break the Glass (indie rock), Syntax and Paradox (hip hop), more TBA)
8:00PM to 8:15PM: Food Not Bombs Meal / Photo presentation by Shannon Holcombe who volunteered for several weeks with Common Ground Relief
8:15PM to 9:15PM: Documentary Screening of Welcome to New Orleans
9:15PM to 9:45PM: Discussion about the film, Common Ground, and action to take next

About Welcome to New Orleans:

Malik Rahim happened to have a documentary film crew with him prior to the arrival of Hurricane Katrina. When the hurricane hit the Gulf Coast, the film crews were there to record not only the devastation, but the vigilantes that were aiming to "shoot to kill". The movie also shows the beginning of the Common Ground Collective.

About Common Ground Collective:

Common Ground's mission is to provide short term relief for victims of hurricane disasters in the gulf coast region, and long term support in rebuilding the communities affected in the New Orleans area. Common Ground is a community-initiated volunteer organization offering assistance, mutual aid and support. The work gives hope to communities by working with them, providing for their immediate needs and emphasizes people working together to rebuild their lives in sustainable ways.

Why: In the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, thousands of residents—many of whom are elderly and disabled—are now facing the possibility of having their homes repossessed by the City, if their properties are not gutted, mold abated, and boarded up. Instead of providing the needed resources to those who need assistance, the local government enacted an ordinance that allows them to demolish or gut a property within 30 business days of citing it as an "imminent health threat," then place a lien on the tract for the cost of the work. Critics of the ordinance have stated three objections, according to Michelle Krupa of The Times-Picayune: haphazard enforcement of the law, a confusing and inconsistent notification process and a lack of a clear recourse to save condemned properties.

The City of New Orleans has initiated a “Good Neighbor” Program, which refers residents to non-profit organizations like Common Ground instead of, as mentioned above, providing state resources for residents at risk.

In response, Common Ground is currently organizing another demonstration of national solidarity and civic responsibility. It is again Spring Break Season, and over the next month, close to 1500 volunteers (mostly students) will be supporting New Orleans' residents through Common Ground relief efforts. Consequently, Common Ground now faces the challenge of funding their meals, basic accommodations, safety equipment, demolition supplies, and transportation to work sites.

Since September 2005, Common Ground has housed, fed and supplied over 12,000 volunteers so that they can to gut houses and clean communities in New Orleans. Those 12,000 volunteers have spent an average of $250 each during their stay in New Orleans, pumping over $2,750,000 into New Orleans economy.

Common Ground receives not one cent of local, state or federal funding for attempting to control and support the many volunteers that come to New Orleans to help. Although Common Ground receives funds for specific projects, such as medical clinics and environmental cleanup, we have fallen short on funds to support our volunteer center in the Upper Ninth Ward.

The organization hopes that a broad grassroots call for small donations will help us provide the support for the many eager volunteers that want so much to make a difference, but need some basic services while they volunteer. Even a small contribution at this time will help provide volunteers their basic needs for the upcoming spring break.

More Information:
Common Ground Collective (www.commongroundrelief.org)
New Orleans IMC (http://neworleans.indymedia.org)
Rochester IMC (http://Rochester.Indymedia.org)