NEW ORLEANS — With less than three weeks to go before the start of second line season, a controversial new regulation threatened to upend one of New Orleans' most cherished traditions.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) recently announced a new requirement for second line trolley and trailer operators, sparking swift backlash from the community.

However, in a unanimous vote Thursday, the City Council voted to stop the measure from moving forward.

The proposed regulation would have required trolley operators to hold a $5 million insurance policy to participate in second line parades. NOPD stated the rule was created to promote public safety, but operators and community members called it an impossible financial burden.

“I just couldn’t take it sitting down. I had to come out today,

See Full Page