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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Ramon Antonio Vargas

New Orleans offered plan to protect Mardi Gras and landmarks with barriers

Anti-car ramming attack barriers are positioned alongside Bourbon Street. Men hold hand trucks which allow the barriers to be moved in and out position quickly.
Archer barriers meant to stop vehicular attacks are positioned alongside Bourbon Street days after the deadly truck attack there on 1 January. Photograph: WWL Louisiana

The creators of steel, mobile 700lb barriers designed to prevent intentional vehicle rammings that New Orleans’ local government bought in late 2017 but left in storage on the night of the deadly Bourbon Street truck attack have provided the city with plans to safeguard Carnival parades as well as prominent landmarks.

But it remains to be seen whether New Orleans’ ultimately adopt those plans, said the Meridian Rapid Defense Group chief executive officer, Peter Whitford, whose group manufactures the so-called Archer barriers that have generated much civic discussion in the wake of an Islamic State terror group-inspired attack that killed 14 people and injured nearly 60 more.

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