The most famous street in New Orleans, lined with metal balconies and usually full of tourists spilling into bars and jazz clubs, turned into a crime scene on Jan. 1 when a man drives a truck into crowds celebrating New Year's Eve. .
On Monday, part of Bourbon Street became a memorial to the 14 people who were killed in this incident, and President Biden flew to speak at the vigil for the victims, saying that the city will overcome this act, which he called “a horrible act of murder.” terrorism.”
In St. Louis Cathedral, Mr. Biden spoke to the crowd that included Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana, a Republican, and Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, along with local law enforcement officers in uniform. The cathedral was still decorated for Christmas, with red pots covered in gold arranged inside, and trees across the front of the house with bows.
“If there's one thing we know, New Orleans defines strength and resilience — you define it,” Mr. Biden said, as the crowd murmured “amen.”
“Whether it's in the form of these attacks, or hurricanes or hurricanes, this city and its people rise up. That's the American spirit again.”
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans acknowledged the loss and pain caused by the attack, saying the evening's ceremonies represented those who died and were wounded.
“This attack was not only a wound to New Orleans, but a wound to our nation, our world and our quest for freedom,” he said.
“For some of those who suffered, it will take a long time to recover. We say to you: Don't lose hope,” he added.
Some New Orleans residents said they were grateful to the president and first lady, Jill Biden, for visiting and acknowledging the difficulty of the event. Michael Clark, who works as an assistant on Bourbon Street, said that his friends and colleagues felt traumatized by the attack.
“We've been shot here before, but it's nothing,” said Mr. Clark, 54. “There is nothing like this random, senseless act of violence.”
Authorities identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a Texas native who drove in from Houston. The Federal Bureau of Investigation described the attack as an act of terrorism and said Mr Jabbar appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group.
The Biden administration has promised increased security in New Orleans, including intelligence teams and bomb-sniffing dogs, over the next few months as tourists flock to the city for major events. Carnival, the festive season leading up to Mardi Gras, begins on Monday and continues through early March. New Orleans will once again host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
Among the victims of the attack were a young mother who had just gotten a promotion at work, a teenager who had sneaked out to celebrate New Year's, and a lifelong city dweller who loved to hang out on Bourbon Street.
One was Billy DiMaio, 25, who was visiting New Orleans from his home in New Jersey to watch the Sugar Bowl with his high school friends. DiMaio's younger sister, Samantha DiMaio, recalls a busy New Year's Day as she called hospitals in New Orleans explaining her brother's tattoos — the initials of each of his cousins — and hoping for good news. Twenty-four hours after the attack, he said, he learned that Mr. DiMaio had been killed.
He said he has the ability to help him see other people's ideas.
“He loved his life, and he loved everything and everyone in it,” Ms. DiMaio said.
The last Bourbon Street victim to be identified, LaTasha Polk, 45, spent most of her time at work, family members said. A nurse's aide, she worked in local nursing homes and was known for patiently teaching young workers to be good at their jobs.
“Tasha was very nice. He loved every minute of his day. She just loved her job,” said Regnicea Butler, Ms. Polk's younger sister.
When Ms. Polk is not at work, family members say, she spends a lot of time with her 14-year-old son, Christopher Carter, and his mother.
On New Year's Eve, Mrs. Polk and his brother, Princess Polk, called the family on Bourbon Street, wishing them a happy New Year. They were still there at 3:15 in the morning, when the attack happened. Mr. Polk survived, but Mrs. Polk did not. A few days later, on Saturday, the coroner's assistant called the family and asked them to show his body in a photo.
Even as they prepared to meet with President Biden on Monday afternoon, family members were trying to make arrangements with the funeral home, hoping to ensure that Mrs. Polk's mother would be able to hold her well before the burial.
“She needs that,” Ms. Butler said of her mother.
In the service, Mr. Biden, whose first wife was killed in a car accident and whose son Beau died of brain cancer, put words to the families' grief and encouraged resilience. He said he was praying for a day “when remembering your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye.”
Terry Gaskins, 58, an artist who cycled to the memorial, said he had friends who lost their lives. Having lived in New Orleans for nearly two decades, Ms. Gaskins said, she has seen the city endure many challenges and was grateful for the presence of the president.
“President Biden is a very compassionate man,” she said. “It will affect him as much as it affects us.”
Not everyone had that feeling. Ricco Rideaux, 51, a lifelong city resident who sells spray paint near Jackson Square, said the president's visit is more of a distraction than a help, diverting police resources that could be used elsewhere. Behind him, officials had placed barriers before the arrival of Mr.
“He should stay in DC,” she said. “The city is already going through enough.”
Mr. Biden often takes on the painful role of trying to comfort grieving communities after attacks or other disasters. In October, he visited the states that were hit hard by Hurricane Helene that hit the Southeast.
This was his first trip to New Orleans in that capacity. He last visited the city in August to announce funding for a cancer treatment program at Tulane University.
But few presidents have visited New Orleans since the disaster. George W. Bush visited New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. And Barack Obama visited the city and other parts of Louisiana affected by the worst oil spill in American history, caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the coast in 2010. .
After arriving in New Orleans on Monday afternoon, Mr. Biden and Dr. Biden laid flowers at the memorial on Bourbon Street. The couple then met with families of victims, survivors of the attack and local law enforcement officials before a prayer service at St. Louis Cathedral.
In this service, Pastor Ajani Gibson, pastor of St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans, read the names of all 14 deceased. For each name, a candle was carried down the central aisle of the cathedral to the front of the nave and placed on a table next to the flowers. Others in the audience wiped their eyes. Others quietly sang the song “He has given them Eternal Rest.”
Mr. Biden and Dr. Biden placed a candle in what was described as a symbol of unity and hope for the country. Mr. Biden returned to his seat with his eyes downcast.
Katy Reckdahl reporting contributed.
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