NEW ORLEANS RESIDENTS MARCH ON CITY HALL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Thousands marched on City Hall on Thursday, seeking an end to the violence that has claimed nine lives in this struggling city since New Year's Day.

"A city that could not be drowned in the waters of a storm will not be drowned in the blood of its citizens," said the Rev. John C. Raphael Sr., one of several speakers from participating neighborhood groups.

Police estimated the crowd at 5,000 people. Several marchers held signs reading "Silence is Violence," referring to police complaints that witnesses to some killings are not coming forward.

"Seeing a crime, seeing criminal activity and not saying something is a crime. Tell somebody, even if they tell someone who can speak on your behalf. Get the word out," said Amy Brown, 35, who said she is rebuilding a home in the Central City neighborhood, home to some of the worst violence.Mayor

Mayor Ray Nagin, the object of many marchers' jeers and protest signs, watched from behind a podium but did not take part in the rally at the behest of organizers. "We want to open a dialogue, but this was not the time. It would have been too big a shift from listening to the people to suddenly have a politician talking," said Baty Landis, a Tulane University professor and music club owner who helped organize the march.

At a brief news conference later, Nagin said the event marked "an incredibly powerful day." ... "We pledge to you that we will get better and we're going to start today," he said, adding that the city would not recover until residents felt safe. The mayor did not take questions.

Okay, I'm thoroughly confused. I thought all the ills suffered by the city of New Orleans and its residents were the fault of George W. Bush and the federal government. Why on earth are these people marching on City Hall?