NEW: Louisiana Community Permitted To Break Away From Democrat-Run City

The Louisiana Supreme Court has allowed a wealthy enclave to secede from the city of Baton Rouge, enabling the formation of the new city of St. George.

The new city of St. George, which sprawls across 60 square miles in the southeastern part of East Baton Rouge Parish, will be home to 86,000 residents. The proponents of the move argue that the secession is a bid to escape the crime rates and poor educational standards they associate with the larger Baton Rouge area, which they claim is mismanaged. They envision St. George as a haven of efficiency, better public services, and superior schooling. The secession was initially sparked by desires to establish a separate school district to avoid the bussing of students across the city—a measure intended to maintain racial integration.

The decision was not without its opponents. Those against the ruling argue that the creation of St. George will strip Baton Rouge of $48 million in tax revenue, exacerbating the financial strains on a city whose remaining residents are predominantly African American and less affluent. The financial cleavage, they contend, will deepen existing disparities between the communities, fostering further divisions along racial and socioeconomic lines. Some leaders and residents have labeled the move as racially motivated, suggesting that it reeks of segregationist undertones and class elitism.

The ruling has indeed divided citizens. Some residents of the newly formed St. George are elated, seeing the decision as a long-awaited opportunity to directly address their grievances about local governance and public services. Others mourn the decision, viewing it as a step backward in the efforts to foster integrated, inclusive communities.

M.E. Cormier, who leads an anti-St. George campaign, spoke to The New York Times, stating, “There is no basis in fact that the existence of St. George is positive or will bring positivity or have a positive impact on any areas of the cities or parish.”

“The detanglement, logistically speaking, is going to be an absolute nightmare,” she continued.

In contrast, Andrew Murrell, a proponent of the secessionist movement, expressed a different view. “This is the culmination of citizens exercising their constitutional rights,” he commented following the vote. “Now we begin the process of delivering on our promises of a better city. We welcome both our friends and foes to the table to create St. George.”

Local resident Tracy McCord shared her enthusiasm about the decision. “I’m extremely happy to hear that this was going to actually happen after all this time,” she mentioned.

“There’s too much bussing going on. People have to pay for private school because of the bus thing, having to send their kids across town,” she explained. “So, in my opinion, we need a new school district out here and we had to have a city before we could do that.”