New Orleans activist, wife and others arrested at city council meeting

Lina PortmanJune 7, 2024

1 3 minutes read

My name is ELIZABETH KUEBEL, WDSU NEWS. THE CHAOS INSIDE THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER IS LEADING TO MULTIPLE ARRESTS TODAY. Well, WDSU reporter Shay O'Connor is live at City Hall. Shea, tell us what started this commotion. Gina and Travis, it all started when community activist Byron Cole made some comments at that meeting. AS A RESULT, BYRON, HIS WIFE RONDELL COLE AND ANOTHER MAN, SEAN MILES, WERE ALL ARRESTED AND AN EXCLUSIVE FOLLOWING COMMENTS MADE BY PALESTINE SUPPORTERS QUICKLY TURNS INTO A MAJOR DISRUPTION WITHIN THE CITY COUNCIL ROOMS THURSDAY. One of our supporters was making a comment and I know the man who was arrested, uh, was making comments about it, but, uh, he really likes it. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO QUICKLY. It wasn't really an altercation as we had cell phone footage showing what happened between community activist Byron Cole and the police. At one point he tells them not to touch his wife. Um, he was up and talking about something. And then pretty soon the police swarmed him and his wife, and then I guess they had a photographer with them. Um, so quickly, it turned into the police chasing them. THEY WERE SEEN BEING ESCORTED WHILE CURSING AT THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE NOPD. HERE YOU SEE NOPD CONFRONT COLE'S WIFE BEFORE SHE HITS AN OFFICER WITH A BOOK NEXT TO THE ROOMS. Another disturbance with Cole upstairs being cornered by officers. THIS VIEW, TAKEN BY A CITY COUNCIL EMPLOYEE, SHOWS A LARGE POLICE PRESENCE OUTSIDE THE CITY HALL. I think we need to take a serious look at what happened. While there is video footage, activist Reggie Ford says he was at a meeting to talk about clean zones in the middle of the Essence festival when he saw the confusion. The risk that they won't touch her because she asked them not to touch her. What I saw was extremely disturbing because they were very brutal in the way they pushed them out of the room. AND THE POLICE TELL US THAT THE THREE WHO WERE ARRESTED ACTUALLY HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FIRST FOR MINOR INJURIES AND THEN BOOKED ON SEVERAL CHARGES, INCLUDING DISTURBING THE PEACE. Now, I should also note that I was here for the Clean Zone Ordinance that was passed. OK, so it passed with a lot of amendments. HUM, ALMOST NOW ALLOWS STREET VENDORS T

New Orleans activist, wife and others arrested at city council meeting

The New Orleans City Council meeting grew heated Thursday as several people were removed from the council meeting by New Orleans police. The New Orleans Police Department said those involved in the disturbance were repeatedly asked to stop the disturbance and leave the council chambers, but they refused. Community activist Byron Cole, his wife, Rhadell Cole, and Sean Myles were all arrested for the disturbances. They are all charged with battery on a police officer and resisting arrest after officers said they resisted arrest and punched several officers. WDSU was informed Cole was at the meeting to talk about the Clean Zone ordinance in the middle of the Essence Festival. Many other community members were also present, as well as Essence officials, to discuss the topic. We're told the ordinance passed with amendments, allowing licensed sellers to be able to sell outside the area during Essence without issue.

NEW ORLEANS –

The New Orleans City Council meeting grew heated Thursday as several people were removed from the council meeting by New Orleans police.

The New Orleans Police Department said those involved in the disturbance were repeatedly asked to stop the disturbance and leave the council chambers, but they refused.

Community activist Byron Cole, his wife, Rhadell Cole, and Sean Myles were all arrested for the disturbances.

They are all accused of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest after officers said they resisted arrest and hit several officers.

WDSU was informed that Cole was at the meeting to talk about the Clean Zone Ordinance during the Essence Festival. Many other community members were also present, as well as Essence officials, to discuss the topic.

We're told the ordinance passed with amendments, allowing licensed sellers to be able to sell outside the area during Essence without issue.