A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday barring state police from further sweeps of the homeless in New Orleans. The order requires the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to not destroy or dispose of unhoused people’s property without judicial process. The order also requires the agencies to provide notice before the removal of property, as required by municipal ordinance, and notify people in the “state-sanctioned camp” that they are free to leave. This order is valid until November 4, 2024 at 9:00 am.

The order was in response to a suit filed by two unhoused residents, Raymond Scott and Amanda Alfred, against the state police and the two other agencies for allegedly violating their constitutional rights by illegally searching and seizing their property. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants gave them as little as 30 minutes’ notice in some cases and have been taking or destroying property including tents, HIV medication, ID cards, and food stamps. They also claim the sweeps have disrupted the city’s work on providing housing to unhoused people. William Most, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, addressed the issue on X, stating, “Americans have constitutional rights, whether they live in a mansion or a tent. We are glad that Judge Jupiter paused the State’s lawless actions.”

Governor Jeff Landry authorized Troop NOLA, a specialized unit of the Louisiana State Police dedicated to enhancing public safety and quality of life in New Orleans, to remove tents and tarps in the New Orleans area ahead of the Taylor Swift concert over the weekend, displacing about 75 people. WDSU, a local New Orleans news outlet reached out to the governor for a comment on the issue. Kate Kelly, deputy chief of staff for communications, responded:

Governor Landry understands the number one issue facing the city of New Orleans right now is the homelessness crisis, and he is working with LSP and local officials to fix this problem. As we prepare for the city to host Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward when on the world stage.

The governor’s authorization was not popular among some. A group of protesters gathered outside Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Saturday ahead of the Taylor Swift concert. They held up signs expressing disapproval of the governor’s actions, and could be heard shouting “Homeless Lives Matter.”