 "Police walk down Bourbon Street past reporters in New Orleans on Thursday, the day after an attacker drove into crowds on the street. (Photo: AFP)")
A day after a suspected Islamic State terrorist killed 14 and injured dozens in New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, restaurant and bars reopened on Thursday (January 2) with hope and promise.
Even though the footfall had reduced after the attack that shocked the city and the nation, tourists as well as locals returned to the popular street in the French Quarter area of New Orleans. The famous bands of the street were also back.
As a brass band played in the street, Dickie Brennan, who owns four restaurants in the French Quarter, told BBC News that he felt “incredibly emotional hearing the music coming back”.
Pointing to a woman putting money in the band’s tip pocket, Brennan said the act was an example of “how much people in this city care, and we’ll rise again”.
Brennan referred to the tragedies that had struck the city previously, including the devastating Hurrican Katrina in 2005, and said, “We overcame Katrina, God knows how many hurricanes, oil spills, crime. And one guy will not stop this beautiful city and special neighbourhood. This city is resilient, we have to be. Look outside, and we’re already seeing people come back to Bourbon Street. Come back tonight, it’ll be packed. It’s the heart of the city.”
Even as the street has been opened for people, law enforcement personnel remain deployed in the area and are patrolling the area more than usual.
The authorities have said that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the 42-year-old Islamic State terrorist who is believed to have carried out the car attack, most likely acted alone.
Impact Shorts
View All‘We were really compelled to come’
Even as the footfall was less-than-usual, people reported coming the Bourbon Street particularly in the aftermath of the attack.
Skipper Bond, 53 and Ashley Bond, 49, who live in the city, came to the street to pay their respects.
They told BBC that they were “really compelled” to come after the attack to “support New Orleans and the city and to not let fear take over and win”/
They said, “This is a city where people come together to… unite and share. It’s a small city but it has a big sense of community. When bad things happen you show up.”
Similarly, 26-years-old Alex Ellis told BBC he came to the street “as there was a pull” and he wanted to pay his respects and walk down the street.
“I felt like I just needed to come out here today. There was a pull. I wanted to pay my respects and walk down Bourbon Street like usual. I feel positive about the city’s ability to bounce back from tragedy and despair. We’ve done it many times before,” said Ellis.
A memorial & a prayer
Local workers make a makeshift memorial for those killed on the New Year’s Day on the street.
“I wanted to honor those people and give a little hope back to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter,” said Maria Fields, 30, to NBC News.
Later in the night, more than 30 city police personnel formed a circle in the centre of the Bourbon Street in a prayer for the city and its souls.
On Thursday night, more than 30 New Orleans police officers formed a circle in the center of Bourbon Street to pray over the night, the city and its souls.
“There are jobs in this world that people are inspired to do. At times like this, they need encouragement. These police officers are people, too. They are heroes,” said police chaplain Ken DeSoto after the prayer to NBC.
Even though the life there was far from normal, signs were everywhere that people were not going to let the Islamic State keep them from celebrating.
Rick Goldstein, 72, told NBC that he was not deterred by the attack.
“I’m looking for a place to get dinner and to listen to some music,” said Goldstein.