Viral Video Shows Confrontation At Krewe Of Centaur Mardi Gras Parade
A viral video recorded during the Krewe of Centaur parade in Shreveport shows a heated exchange between a grandmother attending with young children and a group claiming they had saved space along the route overnight. Children can be heard crying as adults argue about whether the area had been claimed.
The video captures profanity, escalating tension, and what the grandmother and her family say was beer thrown on her.
What The Grandmother And Family Said
After the video spread, the grandmother, Deborah Abram Church, shared her account on Facebook, saying she brought three great-grandchildren to the parade and was told she did not belong in the area.
She wrote that she was approached and told to move, despite seeing no markers, and questioned how anyone could claim a public parade space.
Her daughter, La’Precious, also posted about the incident, calling the treatment of her grandmother and young children disrespectful and alarming.
Her post, along with the video reportedly recorded by a 10 year old child, quickly went viral.
Responses From Others Involved
Two women who said they were part of the group later commented online, in posts that were later deleted, claiming the space had been saved overnight for their family and children.
They denied that race was a factor and said they had politely asked others to move from an area they believed they had secured.
The exchange online has mirrored the divide seen in the video, with some defending the idea of holding a spot and others saying public parade routes cannot be privately claimed.
UPDATE:
Shreveport Police have issued an arrest warrant for one of the women involved. Details here.
Police, Krewe, and Local Leaders Emphasize Respect
The Shreveport Police Department has long stated that parade routes are public property and that saving spaces before 7 a.m. the day of the parade is not allowed.
Officers urged the public to use common sense and treat others respectfully.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said he spoke with the grandmother and called the incident "unacceptable."
The Krewe of Centaur said the video was disturbing and not reflective of the spirit of Mardi Gras, emphasizing that the celebration is meant to be joyful, inclusive, and family friendly.
As tens of thousands continue to view and debate the video, the situation has also sparked a broader conversation familiar to many Mardi Gras communities about space-saving and how people treat one another during Mardi Gras in Louisiana.
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Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff