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Anyone else upset that the Red Cross was there to aid with Jena March in Louisiana?

I dont believe it was a "disaster" situation that needed Red Cross funds, do you? Please email them and tell them you will not tolerate a miss-use of funds that way!
To: dat251flava.
Anyone that has "flava" in their avatar is obviously stupid to begin with...enough said. I wont waste my time on anything more with you. How was the march?

Public Comments

1. It was a prudent measure considering how civil rights marches/movements went down 40 years ago. In many ways we haven't come that far in 40 years.

2. Consider it done. WHAT A CROCK!!! I am glad I stopped donating to them about 20 stupid things ago.

goldenrae...what a crock. The Red Cross has become as politically biased as the ACLU, and they should be shunned until they change their policy and their leadership. This would also give them a GREAT opportunity to get rid of the nearly 1 million dollar salary paid to the top dog.

3. Ah, this country is so screwed up right now. If whites were marching? Oh well, still want to live here regardless of the radicals. Just wish they would go away.

4. post their email


To the guy above me. Can you name a violent white march in the least 150 years?

5. I stopped donating to them after their 9/11 mess.

6. Use Updated Statement to Respond to Inquiries on Red Cross Role in Jena, LA
September 28, 2007
The following message is from Chuck Connor, Senior Vice President, Communication and Marketing:

Chapters and other American Red Cross units continue to receive questions surrounding the role of the Red Cross in providing humanitarian assistance in Jena, Louisiana, on September 20. Accordingly, we have updated our reactive statement and are providing it to you for use in response to inquiries from the news media, donors and the public. Please use the statement below for questions from your community; refer any national media inquiries to the Disaster Public Affairs team at (202) 303-5551.

American Red Cross Statement Regarding Involvement in Jena, Louisiana

On September 20, 2007, the American Red Cross, at the request of the State of Louisiana, provided humanitarian aid at ten comfort stations in Jena. The infrastructure of that small town (population 2,850) was overwhelmed by a crowd numbering in the tens of thousands. Businesses reported in advance they would not be open that day. A state of emergency was declared in the parish. Since the Red Cross mission is to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, our services included basic first aid, along with water and snacks for law enforcement personnel, marchers, community residents and members of the media.

Nearly 200 people received first aid assistance from the Red Cross. According to state police, our presence there may have helped to avert other health emergencies. “The Red Cross was instrumental in providing the humanitarian care, which reduced the number of potential medical emergencies due to heat and dehydration,” said Major Frank Vaughn of the Louisiana State Police.

The Red Cross used existing disaster relief funds to pay for these services. However, we have asked the state of Louisiana to reimburse the Red Cross for the expenses incurred in Jena.

It is not unusual for the Red Cross to accept requests from public safety officials to assist at large gatherings of people, particularly in dangerous weather, like the hot temperatures that persisted in Louisiana last week. Because every community defines emergencies differently, Red Cross chapters are authorized to provide assistance during events that draw large crowds. For example, some chapters may choose to feed responders and volunteers at a search and rescue site for a missing person. Others provide first aid or comfort stations for crowds at political conventions, presidential inaugurations, state funerals or sporting events. The Red Cross typically assists in these activities at the request of local or state governments. The decisions to participate and how our services are paid for are determined on a case-by-case basis.

The American Red Cross provides humanitarian aid as part of our stated mission to “…prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.” As part of a global humanitarian movement, the Red Cross is an impartial and neutral organization. We have no opinion nor do we take sides in any of the events or issues surrounding the Jena situation. We were in Jena to serve all who needed our help.

7. i don't think anything was wrong with that...if you really read the background of everything that has happened down there you wouldn't say that...them people are victims of racism...if that money wouldn't have helped them...then who would of...he would still be in jail...read on it before thinking it was wrong for Red Cross to be there..

8. Were you donating to them before hand? If so the best thing you can do is stop donating and let them know why. If you werent, then why should they care what you say?

I wish I had the extra cash to donate to the Red Cross now. That was a much needed march unfortuantely. The sporadic application of the law was inexcuseable. The marchers went to show that that will not stand. The Red Cross went to aid those who were fighting for a fair application of our laws. That fits with what they do. They are not FEMA, they do not only respond to disasters. They were created primarily for human rights issues and I for one am happy to see them standing true to their roots when so many others have lost their way.