Weeks after reinstating New Orleans’s indoor mask mandate for public buildings and schools, the city’s Democratic mayor, LaToya Cantrell, was seen partying maskless Friday at an indoor Mardi Gras event.
Over 100 videos showing Cantrell’s party at Gallier Hall could be seen online before they were taken down, according to a report.
In one video, Cantrell can be seen maskless and singing karaoke with two unmasked women.
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In fact, no one in any of the videos could be seen wearing a protective face covering, according to the report.
Cantrell’s celebration comes weeks after Cantrell reinstated a mask mandate for all of the city’s indoor public settings, including schools, on Jan. 11.
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Mayor’s Ball 2022: https://t.co/YA5owyP7yn pic.twitter.com/ZOA6AGCH1S
— Sam (@SamSullivan) February 21, 2022
The new mandate is set to remain in effect through Mardi Gras on March 1, the report noted.
The mayor did not perform a “perfect adoption of the guidelines in every instance” at her party, Beau Tidwell, a spokesman for Cantrell, said.
“The mask guidelines and the vaccination requirement will remain in effect thru Mardi Gras,” he said.
“That has not changed and it will not change. Under the current guidelines, masks may be removed indoors while eating and drinking. While we did not see perfect adoption of the guidelines in every instance over the weekend, we were encouraged overall by the level of masking and vigilance we saw on the parade route and at ball events.”
A request seeking an expedited hearing on a civil suit and a temporary restraining order challenging the Democratic mayor’s mask and vaccine mandates was filed, according to the report.
The New Orleans vaccine mandate currently requires that all residents over 5 years of age present proof of their vaccination status to enter most indoor places.
At least 100 plaintiffs have filed suit against Cantrell, the city’s health department, and Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the leader of the health department, the report noted.
They allege the mandates violate their constitutional rights, according to the report.
“We are happy to see the people of New Orleans finally able to return to normal and enjoy the Mardi Gras season,” Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, a partner at the New Orleans-based firm Rodrigue & Arcuri, said.
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“That is exactly what we have been advocating for. We are furious to see our so-called city leaders violating their own mask mandate all through the carnival season while demanding that ordinary citizens and children remain masked. The hypocrisy and privilege will no longer be tolerated. The silence from our state legislature is deafening. We see you, and we are coming for you.”
