I am originally from Mobile and can remember when there were no barricades for the parades. I understand the necessity of the barricades, but what I do not understand is why they are allowed to be shoved in to the crowd by the city workers after the parade. I encouraged friends into coming down with their children to attend the Mardi Gras festivities with me. I described how safe it would be and we took a spot in front of the Government Plaza building, where there were several police officers in plain view. Everything went very well during the parade and we all had a great time but that all changed quickly, immediately following the parade. As we were gathering all our belongings off the ground around us, the city workers were on a mission to disassemble the barricade directly in front of us. Once disassembled, they proceeded to shove the barricade towards us, injuring my seven month pregnant friend and her five year old child as well as another gentleman standing a couple feet from where we were standing. The city employee did not even apologize, but instead pointed us in the direction of first aid. We then went to address the issue with a police sergeant standing in front of the northeast corner of the building who immediately told us that it is our fault for not moving. He proceeded to tell us that we should have stayed clear following the parade and that several warnings about the barricades are posted in the daily paper and on the television news channels. He was trying to legitimize the flagrant disregard to the safety of the individuals he swore to protect. This police sergeant was not only uncompassionate about the injuries we had sustained, but he was arrogant in his demeanor towards us as visitors to this city. Mobile has a great history with Mardi Gras and it is a shame that the city employees have such disregard to the visitors coming to celebrate such a great tradition. Maybe someone else can read this post and something can be done to prevent such a thing from happening in the future.
You are not the only one who hates the whole barricade issue. I love Mardi Gras and my family and I attend every year and we have a great time until the gang of vested city workers come down the street blowing whistles right in your faces and slamming barricades onto the concrete to make sure they have your attention before they slam it down right before you. They have no regards towards anyone even small children. My honest belief is they are trying to compensate for the lack of authority and power that they can't get anywhere else in life. There is also a race issue involved, next time sit back and watch how the African american city workers get right in faces of white citizens and blow that whistle with a serious look of hate and pleasure knowing that there is nothing anyone is going to do about it. But I for one refuse to let it stand in my way of enjoying Mardi Gras, these societies put too much preparation in these parades in hopes that they will be truely enjoyed by the crowd and I will not let the stupidity and power starvation of these city workers ruin my good time. It is only a matter of time before they hurt someone in a serious manner and then the city will get sued all because the police choose to look past what is taking place.
It is racist when the shoe is on either foot, I would have the same complaint had it been the other way around because noone deserves to be treated this way no matter what race you are. My comment is not directed at one race only, it is directed towards all racist individuals no matter what their skin color may be, one day they will wake up and realize how stupid they are for thinking they are better then the other race and if that day never comes then they will have the pleasure of answering to the heavenly father who created us all equal and has taught us that we are all brothers and sisters.
