BYOL--Bring your own lawnchairs. Inspiring DNC diary about New Orleans

[madfloridian]

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/11/lawn_chair_rend.php

"Because all of the furniture was lost to Hurricane Katrina, attendees used lawn chairs for seating as a generator provided power for event. But it wasn’t the lights hanging from wooden beams that illuminated the room that shined brightest that night -- it was the awe-inspiring commitment of that group to democracy and Democratic principles that left a lasting impression on everyone at DNC Headquarters as we became aware of the "Lawn Chair Rendezvous" over the course of the day. After we heard her story, we asked her to introduce Governor Dean on the 7:30 call. He was so moved by their commitment that he couldn’t help but share their story with participants on the final conference call of the evening, and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

One attendee from California, who just happened to be in Louisiana that evening on his way to Pensacola, was at the event and wrote the following on his blog:
http://kunselman.info/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=10&blogId=1

QUOTE: "The Democratic Party is holding national neighborhood house parties on November 15. I'm flying into New Orleans that day so I checked to see if there were any house parties happening in the city. I was pleasantly surprised to see one being hosted on Canal Street. It's BYOL, Bring Your Own Lawnchair, because they don't have any furniture left. I'm signed up to go and will take some pictures and update this blog afterwards.
And update Thom did:

It's overwhelming listening to people's stories. An outsider cannot fully comprehend what is happening here. It's not just losing your family, your friends, your home, your possessions, your job. It's losing an entire way of life. Losing the place where your grandparents, your parents, you, and your children grew up. I think many feel that they haven't just lost their houses, but that they are losing their home town. Concern about the levees was strong at the DNC New Orleans Lawn Chair Rendezvous (because all their furniture was lost to Katrina). Democrats from around the country can help by contacting your legislators and urging them to fully fund safe levees."

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Darn wish I had known about the house parties?

This is great.

[Carolab]

2. Those are the kind of Democrats we should all aspire to be.

Looking forward in the face of disaster.

What a bunch!

[Jacobin]

3. A Big Kick For New Orleans.........

Long may it continue to live.

[madfloridian]

5. I still ache for those people.

This was so courageous to have the meeting to hear the conference call.

[Cha]

4. That is quite a

"commitment"! Being rebuilt from the ground up.

[shance]

6. Thanks so much for sharing this Floridian*

n/t

[Missy Vixen]

7. My thoughts are still with the

people of New Orleans. It seems that DH and I have a hot date at Cafe du Monde in the spring...

Julie

[madfloridian]

8. Audio here of Dean's confererence call...he refers to this group.

What a wonderful group this was to have the courage to set up a conference with lighting by generator. Dean was impressed with them.

The 2nd call audio is much better quality, but the first has stuff in addition. I was very impressed by this.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/11/national_organi.php