We are saddened to report that staff of Friends of Lafitte Greenway were involved in the senseless and violent incident Saturday night after the Endymion parade. Executive Director Sophie Harris Vorhoff sustained multiple injuries and is in intensive care at a local hospital. Program Director Nellie Catzen was released from the hospital on Sunday. Sophie and Nellie were with four others – including Sophie’s husband – who were on bikes on their way from an Endymion party to a downtown parade.

“The board and staff of Friends of Lafitte Greenway along with their extended community of friends and family are reeling,” said board President Kevin Centanni. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of David Hynes and Sharree Walls along with the others who were injured.”

Sharree Walls and David Hynes were friends and allies of Friends of Lafitte Greenway and our efforts. The loss of them strikes at everything we stand for.

Safety on our streets requires a deep commitment and collective effort at all levels of our community. From envisioning and investing in safe dedicated infrastructure for people on foot and on bikes, to individual and community accountability to prevent drunk driving; we all have a role to play in building a safer community. Friends of Lafitte Greenway is committed to building a safer future with the support of our allies at the City; bike, pedestrian, and transit advocates; and our friends, supporters, and neighbors.