Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Mercenaries guard homes of the rich in New Orleans

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Mercenaries guard homes of the rich in New Orleans: "Monday September 12, 2005
The Guardian

Hundreds of mercenaries have descended on New Orleans to guard the property of the city's millionaires from looters.

The heavily armed men, employed by private military companies including Blackwater and ISI, are part of the militarisation of a city which had a reputation for being one of the most relaxed and easy-going in America.

After scenes of looting and lawlessness in the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina struck, New Orleans has turned into an armed camp, patrolled by thousands of local, state and federal law enforcement officers, as well as 70,000 national guard troops and active-duty soldiers now based in the region."