The photograph is the 'real' deal

By: CARISSA HEBERT
Managing Editor

Civil rights leaders in Louisiana questioned the validity of a photograph in Sunday’s Gazette this week after George Fisher, Black Man Seven, reported one of the persons in the photograph did not know why he was taking the photograph.

The photograph in question was on Page 5A of Sunday’s Gazette. Members of the Eastern Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association met with Chief Neal Lartigue and published a letter to show support for Lartigue’s work as police chief in Ville Platte.

On Tuesday, Fisher claimed the photograph was taken and published without the participants’ knowledge it would be used to support Lartigue. However, after discussing the photograph with several persons in the picture, The Gazette learned everyone knew why the photograph was being taken.

Fisher said he had spoken with Brad Ceaser of Eunice and claimed Ceaser told him he didn’t know anything about supporting Lartigue and he had attended a meeting for newly elected officers of the Eastern Seventh District.

Ceaser and his pastor, Rev. Matthew Alfred, who also was pictured in the photograph, verified they were at the meeting and knew why they were being photographed. Rev. Alfred said Ceaser does not live in Ville Platte, but he is a member of the Eastern Seventh District. Rev. Alfred said, As a leader, I stood in behalf of my churches.” He added as a member of his congregation, Ceaser stood in the photograph as well. He said Ceaser’s placement in the picture is irrelevant.

Rev. Eradley Ben Sr., who wrote the statement issued by Eastern Seventh District said everyone knew why the picture was being taken, and it was a legit photograph. He said Chief Lartigue spoke to the group, and they discussed the recent allegations. He said the group decided to support him in his work.

Rev. Raymond Brown, president of the Louisiana State Chapter, National Action Network, and Douglas Bellard, Black Man Seven, were present with Fisher. Ben said he did speak to Brown on the phone but declined a personal meeting with him.

Rev. Brown said the issue here was whether or not the Eastern Seventh District board took action to support Chief Lartigue or if Rev. Ben took the action on his own.

The Gazette spoke to other members who all said they were aware of why they were meeting to take a photograph and they all support Chief Lartigue. Rev. Darwan Lazard said he knew why the photo was taken. He said no one was coerced into taking the picture.

Lula Richardson, another member of the community photographed, said Chief Lartigue was at the meeting. She said Rev. Ben spoke and Lartigue spoke before the photo was taken. She said she knew why the photograph was being taken and willingly got into the photo.

Dorothy and Chester Mitchell were also featured in that photo, and said they do support Chief Lartigue. Dorothy Mitchell said she’d take another photo for the paper if necessary.

The civil rights leaders did say they would be marching again in Ville Platte because there were cases of brutality in this community. Claiming the photo was fabricated to make Lartigue look good, they said they came here because the local leaders did not listen to their own.

Rev. Ben said their statement was legit, and they have decided to support Lartigue at this time.