NEW ORLEANS - City Council President Helena Moreno and Vice President Jason Williams have issued the following statement regarding the deportation of Hard Rock collapse survivor Delmar Joel Ramirez Palma:

"On October 12, New Orleans witnessed a terribly tragic failure at the Hard Rock construction site that killed three, injured dozens, and threatened numerous lives and historic structures in the surrounding areas. It set off dangerous emergency operations lasting over a month, and we've looked on helplessly as two of our deceased remain inaccessible in the mounds of rubble.

The City at large was left with more questions than answers, and little information about what happened in that structure in the days and moments leading up to the collapse was available. Delmar Joel Ramirez Palma, who himself had been injured in that collapse, bravely spoke out concerning conditions at the site and for the first time, offered a critical glimpse into potential causes. That is information that each of the impacted families and officials need to get to the truth of what happened and why.

But for Mr. Ramirez's contribution, the investigation into this tragedy is probably severely lacking. The sensitive nature of the site makes it nearly impossible that investigators would have learned those details otherwise.

It would be very simple for most people in Mr. Ramirez's position to remain quiet, but he spoke up for his peers who paid the ultimate price, and he was punished for it.

We call on our immigration authorities to promptly release this man from custody and allow him to remain here while he pursues medical treatment, seeks justice for himself and others, and contributes to investigations as needed. We must not deter victims and witnesses of construction catastrophes from coming forward."

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Media Contact:

Keith Lampkin

Councilmember Jason Rogers Williams, At-Large

kdlampkin@nola.gov

(504) 758-8913