Councilmember Lesli Harris responded on May 13 to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s recent threat to remove Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams, and five members of the New Orleans City Council from office under state “usurper” statutes. Harris also clarified her position regarding the calling of a special election and appointment of an interim Clerk of Court, while outlining steps she believes are necessary for unity among city leaders.
The issue is significant as it concerns the removal of elected officials and the broader implications for democratic processes in New Orleans. The conflict follows legislative actions affecting local governance and ongoing litigation over changes to clerk positions in Orleans Parish.
Harris said, “The Attorney General’s threat to remove elected officials is an unhinged abuse of power and a threat not only to democracy but ultimately the rule of law as a whole. Attorney General Murrill has warned Mayor Moreno, District Attorney Williams, and five of my colleagues on this Council with removal from office under state ‘usurper’ statutes. This is intimidation, plain and simple.” She added that leadership in New Orleans is “under attack” through both this action by the attorney general and throughout the current legislative session.
Addressing recent events surrounding the Criminal District Clerk of Court position won by Calvin Duncan with nearly 70 percent of the vote, Harris said: “Governor Landry signed a bill to eliminate his position days before he could even take office. That is not reform. That is retaliation against a city that refuses to fall in line.” She argued these efforts target New Orleans specifically because it is a predominantly Black, Democratic city.
Harris further explained her opposition at Monday’s council meeting regarding resolutions about consolidating clerk offices: “Many of you saw that I voted no on the Council’s resolutions regarding the consolidated Clerk of Court Office on Monday. This is absolutely not because I agree with Baton Rouge.” She cited lack of time for full legal briefings before voting as one reason for her stance.
Calling for action moving forward, Harris urged support for Duncan’s lawsuit against state legislation by filing an amicus brief: “I am publicly calling on the City Attorney to file a friend of the court (amicus curiae) brief in the pending federal litigation challenging Act 15, because New Orleans deserves a seat at the table in this fight.” She concluded by referencing Congressman Troy Carter’s remarks at a redistricting town hall: “We should fight behind closed doors and stand united in public… The house is on fire and we need to be united to protect our home and our people.”
