Category:Vera memorial, New Orleans

Vera Briones Smith was a New Orleanian who died in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In the lack of government aid after the disaster, her body was left exposed by a major intersection until locals made a makeshift grave and memoral, originally on the sidewalk. The makeshift grave with the inscription "HERE LIES VERA GOD HELP US" was photographed and published by the national media as an example of conditions in New Orleans.

The body was later moved to a more conventional grave, but locals have kept up the memorial at the adjacent lot.

Example of original memorial early Septembe 2005 via Ray in Austin blog

Article with photos, San Francisco Chronicle

Vera Smith, iconic victim of Hurricane Katrina