Hurricane Katrina March & Second Line
On Friday, August 29, the 20th Annual Hurricane Katrina March and Second Line will take over the streets of New Orleans in a powerful tribute to the lives lost and the ongoing fight for justice.
Hosted by New Orleans Katrina Commemoration Inc. and the Hip Hop Caucus, the event will begin at 10 a.m. at the site of the Lower 9th Ward levee breach, where a healing ceremony and reading of names will take place, before the community marches to Hunter's Field for a rally and second line.
The event has grown into one of the city's most important annual demonstrations of cultural pride and public memory. Every year since the storm, organizers have used the march to remember those killed during and after Katrina, uplift local voices, and push for racial, economic, and climate justice in New Orleans.
This year's 20th anniversary brings new momentum: Louisiana lawmakers recently passed a resolution to recognize August 29 as a day of remembrance. Organizers now hope the city will follow suit and declare it an official local holiday.
The full day of programming includes a moment of silence at 10:20 a.m., followed by a healing ceremony at 11 a.m., the march at noon, and an afternoon rally with speakers and performers at 3 p.m. at Hunter's Field. Past years have featured performances by Mia X, Sess 4-5, Ms. Tee, and Ghetto Twinz, with local brass bands leading the crowd through the city in second line tradition.
To get involved, community members can RSVP for the march or share their Katrina story online. For more information, visit katrina20.com.
Additional Commemorations
The city of New Orleans is also hosting a Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Commemorative Summit at Gallier Hall on Saturday, August 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event will include panels, speakers, and opportunities for public dialogue about recovery, resilience, and remembrance. More info is available at eventbrite.com.
