LaToya Cantrell explains why she made obscene gesture at float during Carnival parade
NEW ORLEANS – Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Wednesday said she gave a rider in a Carnival krewe the middle finger because he did that to her first.
"I just had to go ahead and just do a little bird flip and say 'I love you,'" she told reporters during her weekly press briefing.
The gesture was recorded as a float in the Krewe of Tucks passed Gallier Hall last month. The video went viral after it was posted on social media.
"Love you! God bless you! I see you! Happy Mardi Gras! Enjoy your ride! … Love you!” Cantrell told the float as it passed the reviewing stand on St. Charles Avenue.
Cantrell said she viewed the gesture as being directed at the entire city.
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"I am the mayor of the city. I represent the city. And to be so disrespectful to a city that has worked so hard to get the privilege to have Mardi Gras – you know? So that’s what that was all about. And hopefully that will never happen again."