National FEMA Trailer Tour

Dear Friends:

The KatrinaRitaVille Express FEMA trailer tour has set out on an 8-10 week swing through the nation’s “Heartland,” including Denver and St. Paul for the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions, before heading down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

The KatrinaRitaVille Express is a collaborative education, advocacy and organizing project that utilizes survivor voices, cultural performers, audio-visual technology and a retired FEMA trailer to increase public awareness and understanding of the unique pretexts, impacts and legacies of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita upon the Gulf Coast, its Diaspora and our nation.

In this innovative effort, the FEMA trailer serves as a mobile billboard, walk-in exhibit, speakers’ platform, outdoor theater, performance venue, office and kitchen – enabling it to feature live music, video and even cuisine to attract and engage diverse audiences.

Since August 2007, the KatrinaRitaVille Express has traveled almost 30,000 miles to visit churches, schools, theaters, parks and conference halls from San Francisco to Maine. Thousands of hurricane survivors, recovery volunteers, advocates, and members of the general public have become informed, connected and engaged as a result.

Throughout our journey we will call for health, justice and sustainability for Gulf Coast communities as well as the survivors of any domestic disaster. We believe that advancing the full and fair recovery that Katrina-Rita survivors were promised three years ago will benefit all Americans, including the midwest’s growing number of flood and tornado victims.

From coast to coast, the KatrinaRitaVille Express tour has been an amazing effort involving community groups and survivors from across the Gulf Coast and its 49 state Diaspora; a remarkable gathering of voices experienced in pursuing community recovery and justice with minimal resources, impact or attention.