An unpermitted Christian music concert held in the French Quarter featuring Lafayette star Lauren Daigle provokes a “furious” response from New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell.
An estimated 400 people packed shoulder to shoulder on the steps across from Lafayette Square Saturday. Cantrell says the organizers were told the event would not be allowed beforehand.
“The organizers used the pretense of religion to hold this event with other motives and that simply was not right,” said Cantrell who added that the event had to be treated as a demonstration by authorities.
After the concert was initially denied by the city the organizers reportedly continued planning it out “underground”.
Christian rock artist Sean Feucht organized the event, one in a series of other concerts he’s hosted recently, and he was joined by the Grammy winner Daigle.
“Lauren Daigle from what I understand was a part of that,” said Cantrell. “I have to say I’m very disappointed in the actions there knowing how hard the City of New Orleans has worked.”
Pictures and video from the event show little social distancing or mask-wearing.
New Orleans Police and Cantrell have come under fire from local musicians who decried the double standard of barring them from playing but allowing the concert. Cantrell says they did what they could under the law.
“I’ve been in touch with of course the New Orleans Police Department, of course, safety and permits, but bottom line to pursue every angle possible to hold these individuals accountable,” said Cantrell.
Reports show NOPD closed off traffic to the area but did not intervene in the gathering.
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