Protesters gather outside of Loyola University College of Law building on Nov. 19, 2025. An emergency rally was called after a federal court hearing on the future of the New Orleans Police Department consent decree was abruptly moved from City Hall to the campus.

An emergency rally was called at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law after a federal court hearing on the future of the New Orleans Police Department consent decree was abruptly moved from City Hall to the campus. The last-minute relocation sparked concerns among student and community organizations who say the change limits public access and transparency.

Protesters demanded no termination of the NOPD consent decree, no deployment of National Guard troops, no collaboration with Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and community control of the police. They also called on Councilmember Oliver Thomas to convene a Criminal Justice Coordination meeting to strengthen local police oversight.

Groups including Liberate and Unite New Orleans, Students for a Democratic Society, and the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression criticized the relocation and warned that ending the consent decree would harm families already affected by police misconduct.

Among the protesters was Shante Scott, a New Orleans mother whose son, Jace Scott, was shot and killed on the Southern University at New Orleans campus in 2019. Jace, a mellophone player in the Talladega College Marching Band, had hoped to become a band director before his death. Scott has spent years demanding accountability in her son’s case, an experience she says reflects the broader struggle for transparency in the criminal justice system.

“They don’t want mothers, people like me, mothers like her to come out here so people can hear what actually is going on in these cases,” Scott said.

Organizers accused federal leaders of “attacking police accountability” and urged residents to reject any attempt to weaken oversight of the department.

“We need more accountability, not less. Community control now,” organizers said.

The court hearing will determine whether federal monitoring of the NOPD continues or begins to wind down.

“This consent decree does not need to be terminated. I promise you, it doesn’t,” Scott said.

This is a developing story. Follow The Maroon for updates.