Dear Occupiers with Love

#ONOLA Occupy The Shrine - Occupy NOLA Info Near Jazz Fest

Occupy The Shrine occupies Jazz Fest!

Located near the entrance of The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (which is sponsored by Shell Oil), the area formerly known as The International Special Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi is now decorated in the spirit of the 99% Occupy Movement.

The curator of the shrine is one of the 99% who works two jobs and was unable to make her student loan payments in 2009 and 2010. She made jewelry out of found objects and hoped to use it to supplement her income. The Bon Jovi Shrine was originally created in 2009 so people who lived near the entrance to Jazz Fest could sell handmade jewelry and art on their porches without receiving citations from the City of New Orleans for “vending without permits.”

Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune reports:

City officials also plan to strictly enforce laws that bar transient vendors from operating during the festival dates — Friday through Sunday, and May 3 through 6 — inside the so-called “clean zone” around the Fair Grounds. The area is bounded by Florida Avenue, North Broad and Esplanade avenues and Bayou St. John.

In 2010, citations were issued to residents of this neighborhood who were holding “yard sales” or “art sales” during Jazz Fest. The JBJ Shrine was left alone.

The Bon Jovi Shrine offered free sunscreen, water, and Aqua Net hairspray and welcomed visitors and locals. A sign displaying the lyrics “It’s tough… so tough” was placed next to a donations jar. No profit was ever made at this location, but it received media attention from The Gambit Weekly, WWOZ, Chris Rose (when he was writing for The Times Picayune) and Tyler Wing from WGNO “News with A Twist.”

On May 6 of 2011, The Bon Jovi Shrine was dismantled when the curator’s long-haired Chihuahua (Guadalupe) was run over by a driver who was speeding away from Jazz Fest.

The curator had been on the phone with the student loan company for 4 hours prior to this accident because her income tax refund had been taken by the IRS despite the fact that she was enrolled in a student loan rehabilitation program and making payments. Guadalupe was a qualified service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This year, there is a new shrine devoted to Guadalupe, the best little dog who ever lived and died on Maurepas Street, down the street thanks to some kind neighbors. The 2012 Jazz Fest Shrine to Saint Clare was established in an empty phone booth on the wall of a vacant store. It was erected to spread awareness about the importance of driving carefully and soberly when leaving Jazz Fest.

The abandoned storefront where the The 2012 Jazz Fest Shrine to Saint Clare is being decorated with a mural.

Currently, The Bruce Springsteen Shrine to the Common Man stands at the corner.

Rumors of shrines devoted to other musicians are circulating in this area.

The area formerly known as the International Special Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi is in no way related to Shell Oil, Jazz Fest, or Jon Bon Jovi. This porch is decorated to celebrate the 99% Occupy Movement. Information about Occupy The Stage and Occupy New Orleans actions and events is available there.

KISS OUR BRASS: The unincorporated alternative to Jazz Fest via Occupy The Stage!

May First - New Orleans, LA May Day activities Occupy New Orleans, Occupy The Stage, and other activist groups are participating in.

Here is a brief video about Occupy The Shrine.

http://bambuser.com/v/2589112

Expect more information and propaganda related to the Occupy movement soon!

Anyone interested in the Occupy Movement and Jazz Fest can learn more about local actions on the 2900 block of Maurepas Street (home of the area formerly known as the Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi).

Follow @small_affair and @OccupyFun on Twitter for updates!