New Orleans, known for jazz and vibrant culture, owes much of its identity to the African American community. Yet, the city’s treatment of second lines—their most home grown iconic cultural expression—is still marked by suspicion and hostility. Instead of cherishing this tradition, authorities have criminalized and suppressed it. This reflects how African American culture has been historically neglected in New Orleans.

What Is a Second Line?

The second line is a uniquely New Orleans tradition, rooted in the African American community. It is a joyous street procession, often led by social aid and pleasure clubs (SAPCs) with brass bands providing music. The “first line” includes the band and SAPC members, while the “second line” is the community of dancers and followers. These gatherings mark funerals, weddings, and Sunday celebrations, turning streets into spaces of joy and unity. Yet, law enforcement has often treated these gatherings as disruptions rather than celebrations. This neglect criminalizes a cultural treasure that deserves better.

Policing Joy: The Criminalization of Second Lines

From the mid-20th century onward, the NOPD often viewed second lines as nuisances or even threats. During the Jim Crow era, gatherings of African Americans faced constant suspicion. The NOPD disrupted second lines, citing noise complaints, obstructed traffic, or “disorderly conduct.” These legal pretexts targeted Black communities unfairly. By the 1980s, policing of second lines became harsher. SAPCs faced excessive permit fees, allegedly for police escorts and safety. Many clubs struggled with costs that threatened their survival.

Some paid thousands of dollars for permits, while others risked arrest by parading without them. And police arrested people out enjoying the festivities for minor infractions like jaywalking or public drinking. Predominantly white Mardi Gras parades did not face similar treatment, highlighting a double standard.

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Excessive Fees and the Fight for Equity

In the 1990s and early 2000s, SAPCs faced increasing financial challenges. Permit fees soared, reaching as high as $3,000 for some events. The cost of bands and other expenses added to the financial strain. Many SAPCs struggled to host parades, which felt like an intentional suppression of Black culture. Advocates fought back. In 2013, SAPCs and the ACLU sued the city over discriminatory fees. The courts forced the city to reduce these costs, allowing more SAPCs to thrive. This victory came after decades of financial pressure and systemic neglect of second lines.

Tragedy and Tension: The 2006 Shooting

A dark chapter in second line history occurred in 2006, when a shooting happened during an Original Four SAPC parade. The NOPD linked the violence to the event and used it to justify cracking down further. Permit fees increased, and the city framed second lines as public safety risks. SAPC members felt betrayed by a city that blamed them for systemic issues. The violence reflected broader problems, such as poverty and neglect in Black neighborhoods, not second line culture itself.

Hurricane Katrina and the Fight for Revival

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, second lines became a powerful symbol of New Orleans’ resilience. Yet, even after the disaster, the NOPD resisted their resurgence. SAPCs struggled with delays in permits and heightened scrutiny. The community refused to let the tradition die. Advocacy groups and cultural leaders fought for the preservation of second lines. They reminded the city and the world that second lines were essential expressions of hope, healing, and survival.

Modern-Day Struggles

Today, second lines are celebrated as cultural gems and tourist attractions. And now the city promotes them as a vital part of its identity. However, for those who lived through decades of suppression, scars remain. Though relations with the NOPD have improved, the legacy of neglect and mistreatment lingers. Second lines are no longer criminalized outright, but mistrust between the community and law enforcement endures.

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Recent events have reignited the old rhetoric. During the Nine Times SAPC’s 26th Annual Second Line, a shooting occurred nearby, sparking renewed stereotypes about second lines being dangerous. This marked the first incident in the event’s 25-year history, yet that flawless record was ignored. Instead of acknowledging the unrelated nature of the shooting, critics used it to justify the tired argument that second lines need to be stopped. This reaction reveals deep-seated racialized narratives that unfairly tarnish second lines. The shooting had no connection to the parade, but its proximity allowed detractors to push their familiar and unfounded claims.

A Call to Cherish What We Nearly Lost

New Orleans would not be New Orleans without African American culture. Yet, second lines’ history reveals how the city often treats that culture—as a problem to be controlled rather than a treasure to honor. Second lines are not just parades; they represent resilience, joy, and the spirit of the African American community. For too long, New Orleans has failed to cherish this gift. The city must do more than market Black culture to tourists. It must respect and support the communities that create it. Second lines are a reminder of what makes New Orleans extraordinary. It is time the city treats them—and the people behind them—with the reverence they deserve.