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New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly's #CloseTheCourts Phone/E-mail Zap ⚡️☎️Please check out the tips & scripts for support (and please read our "Updates" Section)!
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HOW THIS WORKS:
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Scroll down to find current or upcoming date and sign up for ONE timeslot to email and call the following: Gov. Edwards, your state representatives (important!!!), LA Dept. of Health Secretary Dr. Courtney Phillips, New Orleans Mayor Cantrell, and our top State Health Official, Dr. Jimmy Guidry. During your shift, call each office using their respective provided scripts and log relevant info next to your name as you call.
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UPDATES- PLEASE READ!!
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THANK YOU to all who made the calls, sent the emails, and generally have boosted this effort so far! Below are some learnings as we move into week 3:fsadf
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1.) IT’S WORKING. Each office we’ve called expressed something along the lines of "we've been getting so many calls!" The staffers at the state public health offices clearly weren't accustomed to receiving such an influx of calls from the public and several staff members *expressed agreement* that evictions and eviction proceedings pose a public health emergency.
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2.) It’s extra important that we contact our state reps and demand they use their unique pull with the Governor to demand he do his job and keep renters safe. If you find yourself with limited time on your calls, please prioritize calling and e-mailing your state reps.
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3.) As we make calls this week, let's remember our public officials' staffers are "the messenger" and continue to be kind and patient with them as they field all our concerns.
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4.) Edwards knows exactly how bad COVID is getting. So does Mayor Cantrell, who joined the governor in walking back more of her reopening guidelines. Over the weekend of July 12th, Gov. Edwards mandated masks, limited indoor gatherings (hello, courtrooms?) and closed down BARS, but not eviction courts. Let's use his own quote to hold him accountable: “Cases in Louisiana continue to increase, including setting a record-high number of new cases reported in one day, today and yesterday. More than two thousand new COVID infections reported each of these days and increased hospitalizations are signs that we continue to go in the wrong direction in our work to control COVID-19 in our state. . . Right now, all Louisianans need to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by wearing their face masks, keeping social distance, washing their hands frequently and staying at home when they are feeling sick. These are reasonable expectations while we fight to reduce the spread of the illness in our state. This approach also gives us the best possible chance to again flatten the curve without moving back to Phase One.” -Gov. John Bel Edwards [Source]
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TIPS:
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1. Email AND call as many of the contacts as you can. Helpful tip via a phone participant below: you can Bcc your emails to save time!
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2. If you reach an answering machine, please leave a voicemail WITH a callback # and if you can, PLEASE send a follow-up email!
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3. Try the alternate phone numbers provided if the first ones listed give you trouble.
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4. Please tell us how calls go in the "notes" column! We are still testing out the best phone numbers/avenues to reach public officials, and noting how they respond to different angles, so the more specific you can be with how your interactions went, the better!
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Position/TitleNamePhoneE-mailScript (feel free to edit, especially if you have personal experience/testimony to share re: this housing crisis!)
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GovernorJohn Bel EdwardsFirst: 225-342-0991 Then try: 844-860-1413; 225-342-7015; 866-366-1121ASKJBE@la.govHi my name is [ NAME ], and I’m a constituent and Louisiana resident calling to express concern about the avoidable eviction crisis resulting from Gov. Edwards’ failure to extend the statewide eviction moratorium.

In service of public health, mitigating this virus, Louisiana's economic recovery, and racial equity - it is imperative that Governor John Bel Edwards REINSTATE THE EVICTION MORATORIUM and CLOSE OPERATIONS OF ALL EVICTIONS COURTS STATEWIDE

[CITE GENERAL SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS ------>]
Thank you for conveying my concerns and demands to the Governor. 		General Support:

1. On July 1, the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice sent a request to Louisiana Judges and Justices of the Peace, the Louisiana Judiciary Commission asking for accountability over what they believe to be violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Louisiana & U.S. constitutions. This was the second request sent, a previous letter was sent June 8th and has not been addressed. a notable quote from the letter is below:

"We continue to see egregious violations by some courts and Justices of the Peace, indicating a lack of knowledge or understanding of the law. (ADA) Some parts of the judiciary have begun to act to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Louisiana. Some have not."
[Read both letters in full here.]

2. The CARES Act blocks landlords with federally subsidized mortgages on their rental properties or ones with federally subsidized housing from evicting tenants and/or charging them late fees for nonpayment of rent until July 25. Many courts have illegally evicted renters against the CARES act protections and many will continue to do so if the Governor doesn't act NOW. The burden falls on tenants to determine if the property they reside in is covered or not, placing even more pressure on the people most vulnerable and further tipping the scales in favor of the landlords who already hold the majority of the power.

3. New Orleans ranks 2nd in the nation for the percentage of renters paying more than half of their income on housing.​​ 61% of New Orleans renters are cost-burdened, spending more than a third of their income on rent and utilities on housiing, and 4 in 5 cost-burdened renters are Black residents. These numbers are alarming on their own let alone during a global pandemic. Cases continue to spike in New Orleans and other parishes, again with disproportionate effects on the Black community.

4. Tenants are more likely than homeowners to work in the service and hospitality industries, and most have lost their jobs. Those that are still working are risking their health and struggling to sustain themselves as a lack of tips and tourists have diminished a large portion of their wages.

5. Rent-burdened workers are more than twice as likely to lose their jobs than other renters, according to the Urban Institute. 82.2% of tenants facing evictions in New Orleans are Black, while only 59% of the city is Black.
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New Orleans MayorLatoya Cantrell504-658-4900Mayor@nola.govHi, my name is [ NAME ], and I’m a constituent and New Orleans resident calling to express concern about the avoidable eviction crisis resulting from the Governor’s failure to extend the statewide eviction moratorium.

In service of public health and slowing the spread of COVID-19, racial equity, and Louisiana's economic recovery, it is imperative that MAYOR CANTRELL PUBLICLY CALL UPON Governor John Bel Edwards to reinstate the eviction moratorium and RELEASE A STATEMENT in support of closing the operations of all eviction courts statewide.

[CITE GENERAL SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS ------> ]

Thank you for conveying my concerns and demands to the Mayor.
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LA Dept. of Health SecretaryDr. Courtney PhillipsDr. Phillip's Chief of Staff, Tonya Joiner: 225-342-9001 UPDATE!! Try this # too- Dr. Phillips assistant/scheduler: 225-342-9503kemlyn.lomas@la.gov (Phillips' assistant/scheduler's email- still address to Sec. Phillips) AND Tonya.joiner@la.gov (Chief of Staff's email- still address to Sec. Phillips)Hi my name is [ NAME ], and I’m a Louisiana resident calling from [ CITY ] to express concern about the avoidable eviction crisis resulting from the Governor’s failure to extend the statewide eviction moratorium.

[CITE 1-2 PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS ------> ]

In service of public health and slowing the spread of COVID-19 - it is imperative that DR. PHILLIP'S AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLICLY CALL UPON Governor John Bel Edwards to reinstate the eviction moratorium and RELEASE A STATEMENT in support of closing the operations of all eviction courts statewide.

Thank you for conveying my concerns and demands to the Secretary. 		Public Health Specific Concerns:

1. "The state’s largest and best resourced court systems have done a poor job spacing people out or establishing other policies that keep people safe. “That leaves us incredibly worried,” he said, “that smaller jurisdictions will not put the needed protections for people with disabilities in place” unless they’re ordered to do so." --quote from this recent article on Disability Rights violations in LA Courts

2. Opening eviction courts places the entire community in grave danger.

3. We must close eviction court back down in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Louisiana residents.

4. Already we are seeing packed courtrooms and backlogged dockets, with renters and landlords alike waiting up to 7 hours for their cases to be heard.

5. These courtrooms often lack air conditioning, and packing upwards of 24 people into a small, unventilated room (as was just the case in Second City Court in New Orleans) is in direct conflict with CDC and public health guidelines.

6. This does not just affect renters, but also judges, other courtroom staff, and the broader community as courtrooms become hot spots for the spread of the virus.

7. Our courts are not equipped to contain a virus: the buildings are not properly ventilated, overflow spaces are insufficient in size, and we lack the necessary supplies and staff needed to maintain a safe environment and prevent the spread of COVID.

8. Our most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by the virus and are more likely to face eviction - with the mortality rate of Black individuals at 6 times the rate of white folks - the failure to close our eviction courts only perpetuates systemic racism and the unprecented racial disparities in health outcomes that we are seeing during this pandemic.
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Top State Health OfficerDr. Jimmy Guidry225-342-3417char.prentiss@la.gov Jguidry@la.govHi my name is [ NAME ], and I’m a Louisiana resident calling to express concern about the avoidable eviction crisis resulting from the Governor’s administration’s failure to extend the statewide eviction moratorium.

[ CITE 1-2 PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS ------> ]

In service of public health and slowing the spread of this virus, it is imperative that DR. JIMMY GUIDRY PUBLICLY CALL UPON Governor John Bel Edwards to reinstate the eviction moratorium and RELEASE A STATEMENT in support of closing the operations of all eviction courts statewide.

Thank you for conveying my concerns and demands to Dr. Guidry.
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Please follow this link to find your State Representative by your address. Email & call them and ask that they put pressure on the Governor on your behalf. Use personal experience/testimony or a variation of the talking points that resonate with you most.
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TimeDateFirst NameLast Name (or initial)EmailWho did you call? Email?Notes
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8:00 AMJuly 8WilliamErcolewercole@gmail.comCalled all numbers above, emailing all addressesJBE - the first two numbers go to the same line, the number ending in 7015 goes directly to the receptionist. I was advised to call the previous numbers and leave a voicemail with a callback phone number. I asked if the receptionist would pass along my concerns and she would not commit to doing so as the other lines were the "voice of the constituents"; Mayor Cantrell -left voicemail and asked for call back to confirm my conerns were voiced to the mayor; Dr. Phillips -voice mail is full; Dr. Guidry I spoke with Ms. Prentiss regarding the eviction crisis and she said that she agreed, provided this email so she could be sure these concerns reached the right people: char.prentiss@la.gov. Sending emails to the above listed emails and ccing Ms. Prentiss on the one to Dr. Guidry.
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8:10 AMJuly 8
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8:20 AMJuly 8
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8:30 AMJuly 8
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8:40 AMJuly 8
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8:50 AMJuly 8
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9:00 AMJuly 8Gabriella JoyAndinogabriella.andino@gmail.comFirst phone line ending in 0991 ended up going to voicemail. The second number ending in 1413 went thru and I was able to speak, the woman on the line agreed with us. She said she would track and convey our messages. The other two lines at the governor's went to voicemail. I got on the line for Mayor Cantrell's and the person on the line said they would convey my messages. The # for DR Phillips had a full voicemail. I had a long talk with Char Prentiss of Dr Guidry's office, she wants everyone to email her specific health concerns with opening/continuing to operate the eviction courts so they can look over the information. She seemed especially concerned that there wasn't Airconditioning in the courts.
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9:10 AMJuly 8
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9:20 AMJuly 8
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9:30 AMJuly 8SerenaThompsonSerenamthompson@gmail.comI had the same experience as the above two callers.
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9:40 AMJuly 8
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9:50 AMJuly 8
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10:00 AMJuly 8George M Fthatgreenfrog23@gmail.com called all numbers, left vociemalils but one was full. emailed them all.I called all the numbers but only had two conversations with Gov.Edwards and Dr.Guidry's assitants. Dr. Phillips' voicemail was full.
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10:10 AMJuly 8Colin Leonardcleonard@my.loyno.eduSame as the above but got through to the Mayor.
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10:20 AMJuly 8Shaughnessy ZSzambolla@gmail.com
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10:30 AMJuly 8BernadetteFoxSubversive.fox@gmail.com Called and emailed each Gov's line went to VM (i used 844 number), Left a message with Cantrell's office person, Dr. Phillips VM inbox was full, and I reached Guidry's point person and she said email char.prentiss@la.gov, she said she is getting lots of calls and will compile everyone's concerns to share with Dr. Guidry
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10:40 AMJuly 8RebeccaFrebecca.a.farley@gmail.com
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10:50 AMJuly 8
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11:00 AMJuly 8hannahMakarovichhannahmakarovich@gmail.comcalled each numberI had a similar experience as the above callers. Dr. Phillip's voicemail was full. The only people I got through to was the Gov 866-366-1121 and the mayor. Char Prentiss wanted an email adressing the concerns.
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11:10 AMJuly 8Jordan Sjdsoyka@gmail.comI was able to talk directly with people at the Gov. and Mayor's offices. As mentioned above, Dr. Phillips VM inbox is full, so I sent an email. I got through to Dr. Guidry's person; however, as noted above, she's not taking messages when you call. Instead, just email char.prentiss@la.gov. She is compiling responses for Dr. Guidry.
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11:20 AMJuly 8MarcMayeuxmarcjmayeux@gmail.comcalled each, emailed Guidry
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11:30 AMJuly 8MarthaSSarfaty7@gmail.comLeft messages on 2 of the alternate governor lines, talked toa person on the third line who sounded fed up. Same vibe from the person at the mayors office- she was in a hurry to get me off the phone and seemed annoyed. Left vm on the other lines, sending emails now. Thanks everybody!!
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11:40 AMJuly 8Jen Davisjen.davis0@gmail.comOk! Left a message on all the gov lines. Spoke to a lovely woman in the Mayor's office who said "yeah I've been wondering what's gonna happen when all those houses are re-possesed" and I was like "yeah! Let's talk about it!" She said she'd pass on our convo to the major. Tonya's voicemail was full. Char interrupted by spiel to say "we've been getting so many calls" I said "that's right!" she said "please send an email." GET IT FOLKS
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11:50 AMJuly 8
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12:00 PMJuly 8MandiWwood.mandi.j@gmail.comLeft messages on the first two governor lines, and sent an email. Let a voicemail on the Mayor's office, and followed up with an email.
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12:10 PMJuly 8
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12:20 PMJuly 8
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12:30 PMJuly 8lucyblucymblumberg@gmail.commessages and emails, Guidry prefers emails to char.prentiss@la.gov and says they're getting a lot of calls about this today. lines full!!
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12:40 PMJuly 8
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12:50 PMJuly 8CharlieSCschully@gmail.comLeft voicemail on OCS line; sent email
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1:00 PMJuly 8JoannaFjoannabfarley@gmail.comleft voicemails on all the governor's office lines.
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1:10 PMJuly 8KatieHLkdhunterlowrey@gmail.comLM for Gov and Mayor. Will send follow up emails. Tonya took call in Dr. Phillip's office, will relay to him and said she'd email me back. Guidry's office said they're getting lots of calls, she said I was probably 40th today. Asked to send concerns in an email and she also suggested we ask our State reps for help in pressuring the Gov. Will do.
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1:20 PMJuly 8
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1:30 PMJuly 8OliverEyoustolemyidentity@gmail.comTalked to people at the governor's office, the mayor's office, and Dr. Guidry's office. Char at Dr. Guidry's office told me she appreciates how nice the callers have been. She asked me to e-mail my concerns. Left a message for Dr. Phillips. The voicemail for the first number was full. Sent e-mails to all.
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1:40 PMJuly 8
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1:50 PMJuly 8
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2:00 PMJuly 8MeghshaBm.sqawsan.b@gmail.comLM for Gov. For 3rd and 4th numbers, each time I reached a person and they redirected me to the voicemail system when I mentioned the eviction moritorium. For the 4th call, I protested politely and said I would rather speak to a human person than leave a message, she said she understood but I needed to leave a message and I would receive a call back, that is protocol. I asked if the log the number of calls on the same issue, she said she believes so. I left a VM for each number I called. I emailed to follow up. Called Mayor and left message. Dr. Phillips' first number did not pick up and I could not leave a VM. Called 2nd number and spoke to a lovely person named Kemlyn. She listened politely, said she would relay my concerns to Dr. Phillips, repeated back my issues, and also gave me her email when I said I would like to send a follow-up email with things I may have missed: kemlyn.lomas@la.gov. Ran out of time to call last person; will email the Mayor and emails associated with Dr. Phillips this evening.
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2:10 PMJuly 8
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2:20 PMJuly 8PeterPpeterpinelli@gmail.com
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2:30 PMJuly 8KatyTinsleykgtinsley@gmail.comLeft VM at the first 2 numbers for Gov Edwards. On hold with the 3rd number - she said she's got that down as a concern already and thanked me for calling. Left VM for the mayor. Talked to Tonya and she said that she spoke with someone early and told them she would ask the Governor's office if they are considering extending the moratirum. She said that it's kind of "out of their realm of control". I explained that we understand that and that we are all calling the governor as well but we thought it would be helpful to also ask those with more power to ask him on our behalf as well. She seems to understand that and said she would relay the message. She did ask me if "her number is going around" or if I looked it up and I explained that we are a group commited to this action and we are sharing info about who we are able to get in touch with, I hope this was an okay response. I wanted to be honest with her as she will be getting several calls. Rather than call Dr. Guidry I am calling my respresentative Aimee Adatto Freeman ((504) 861-1614) as suggested above by Dr. Guidry's office. Left her a long voicemail.
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2:40 PMJuly 8
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2:50 PMJuly 8Sam Kingsamanthaeking@gmail.comSpoke with someone in JBE's office. LM for Mayors office. Spoke to Ms. Prentiss in Dr Guidry's office and am following up with an email. She stated that they are recieving a lot of calls in support of the moratorium today!
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3:00 PMJuly 8TraceyArmitagearmitage.24@gmail.comGovernor Edwards, Mayor Cantrell, Secretary Phillips and Rep Matthew WillardLeft message with Gov Edwards and emailed. Emailed Mayor Cantrell, Secretary Phillips and Representative Willard.
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3:10 PMJuly 8MaddyFoxmaddygreerfox@gmail.comCalled & emailed allLeft a message with Gov. Edwards & emailed. Did not get through to Dr. Phillips but sent an email. I spoke with Ms. Prentiss and she expressed that she would like me to email my thoughts so she can present the information to Dr. Guidry, also mentioned there were many calls coming through on this topic. Left a voicemail with Mayor Cantrell's office and recieved a callback in which I expressed our concerns. Not much interaction, just a "thank you for your call" and hang up. Sent a follow-up email to all.
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3:20 PMJuly 8
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3:30 PMJuly 8KevinWalterskevin.walters17@gmail.com
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3:40 PMJuly 8
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3:50 PMJuly 8
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4:00 PMJuly 8SarahMsarahmillerartworks@gmail.com
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4:10 PMJuly 8
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4:20 PMJuly 8
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4:30 PMJuly 8
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4:40 PMJuly 8BreonneDeDeckerbreonne@gmail.com
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4:50 PMJuly 8
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5:00 PMJuly 8EmilySfleurdelibris@gmail.comcalled and left voicemails at all of the above numbers (except for Tonya Joiner's, mailbx was full. Emailed all
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DAY TWO
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8:00 AMJuly 9WilliamErcolewercole@gmail.comCalled and left voicemails. Sent follow up emails to all addresses. Called and emailed state rep and senator, and emailed them as well. JBE - left message and callback number; Mayor Cantrell -left voicemail and asked for call back to confirm my conerns were voiced to the mayor; Dr. Phillips -voice mail is full, called alternate number and left my name with Dr. Phillip's scheduler, she is compiling a list of people who have called in regarding evictions; Dr. Guidry sending follow up email. Senator Karen Carter Peterson-left voicemail; Rep. Royce Duplessis -left message; Sending follow up emails to the above listed emails and ccing Ms. Prentiss on the one to Dr. Guidry.
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8:10 AMJuly 9
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8:20 AMJuly 9
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8:30 AMJuly 9EmilyMikesell
emily.mikese.trumpet@gmail.com
Left a voicemail at JBE and the Mayor. Talk to Dr. Phillips assistant and she seems very nice and receptive. Talked to someone at Dr. Guidry's office and was asked to send an email. Sent all a follow up email.
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8:40 AMJuly 9RobinShermanrobin.sherman.bass@gmail.comLeft a voicemail at JBE and the Mayor. Talk to Dr. Phillips assistant and she seems very nice and receptive. Talked to someone at Dr. Guidry's office and was asked to send an email. Sent all a follow up email.
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8:50 AMJuly 9MileneLichtwarckmilene.lichtwarck@gmail.comLeft a voicemail and call back number with the first number, second number picked up and I spoke to a human who noted my name, number and concern. They said they appreciate the concern and hope more people will call.
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9:10 AMJuly 9JacobFinkelmanjafinkel@students.pitzer.edujohn bel edwards: talked to 844#; cantrell: left message; dr phillips. spoke w assistant.
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9:20 AMJuly 9ClaraPottercjp2135@gmail.comLeft a message for JBE; Spoke with somebody at Mayor Cantrell's office who was very concerned about the rights of landlords and really pushed back hard on stopping evictions; left a message for dr. phillips and guidry. Dr. Guidry's office asked that emails be sent to his assistant.
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9:30 AMJuly 9ReneeLeachrenee.t.leach@gmail.comTalked to someone on JBE's first # who said they would tally me, left voicemails for mayor, phillips' second number, and Guidry
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9:40 AMJuly 9AdeleMarrsadele.marrs@gmail.comSpoke with someone at both JBE's office and Mayor Cantrell's office (neither expressed their opinions as some have noted above). Dr. Phillips' voicemail was full & I left a message with the second number provided. Dr. Guidry's assitant conveyed that she has received many calls and asked that I send an email so she can compile all concerns and forward to him. I will follow up with emails to each office.
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9:50 AMJuly 9EliseGonzalezelisegonzalez44@gmail.comLeft a voicemail at JBE, person who answered at Mayor's office interrupted and seemed tired of these calls. Sending follow up emails.
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10:00 AMJuly 9NikkiMayeuxnicole.mayeux@gmail.comLeft several messages with Governor's office, did get one operator there who immediately re-routed the call to a voicemail. Left message with Cantrell's office with an operator. Left messages at the other numbers and will follow up with e-mails.
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10:10 AMJuly 9Colin Leonardcleonard@my.loyno.eduLeft messages with all JBE's people until I called his main number and complained about all my calls going to voicemail. I then got in contact with a rep. I was able to talk to Cantrell's people and left voicemails with all the other numbers. My local reps didn't pick up but I got to talk to a rep at Richmond's NO office. Sent emails to all too.
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10:20 AMJuly 9
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10:30 AMJuly 9BernadetteFoxSubversive.fox@gmail.comMade calls but didn't reach any humans. Sent follow up emails. Added some new info from talking points/general support etc.Linked several articles in my follow up emails and echoed that I expect a follow up
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10:40 AMJuly 9MargaretParsonsmparsonsart@gmail.comI got ahold of someone at LBE's office on the third number... they took my info and msg and said they'd pass it along. Left a voicemail at Cantrell's office and Guidry's office. LA Dept of Health picked up and it was a really pleasant call. I was told to email my concerns to char.prentiss@la.gov. She will be compiling demands and sending along to Dr. Phillips. With clear and explicit plans for reinstating moratorium/putting pressure on the governor etc
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10:50 AMJuly 9OliveHolive.henzel@gmail.comcalled & emailedleft message with a person at JBE(225-342-0991 number) and Cantrell's office. Guidry's office asked for an email, and left voicemail to Phillips. 
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11:00 AMJuly 9ArielMoyalariel.c.moyal@gmail.com
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11:10 AMJuly 9Brigid Conroybrigidirene@gmail.comSpoke to someone through the 3rd number on JBE list and conveyed message, spoke to someone at the Mayor's, Guidry's office asked us to send email, and left a voicemail for Phillps
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11:20 AMJuly 9MarcMayeuxmarcjmayeux@gmail.com
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11:30 AMJuly 9EmilySfleurdelibris@gmail.com
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11:40 AMJuly 9