New Orleans Mayor Cantrell on obscene gesture: "I was flipped the bird" and responded

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said she "flipped the bird" during the Tucks parade in response to a float rider who did the same to her.
Cantrell addressed the situation formally for the first time since the incident on the final big weekend of Carnival.
Cantrell was caught on camera enjoying the parade and apparently shouting out "I love you" before making the gesture that was originally characterized by a city spokesman as being in "jest" and "all in good fun."
"I was flipped the bird... and, um... I just had to go ahead and do a little bird flip and say 'I love you.'"
“It was a shot, in my opinion, not at me directly, but at the city of New Orleans and I’m the mayor of the city… to be so disrespectful to the city that has worked so hard to get the privilege of having Mardi Gras, that’s what that was all about. Hopefully that will never happen again."
Cantrell's gesture was caught on video and widely distributed on social media. There is no telling if it affected the recall petition signature drive but it happened with just days to go before the deadline to collect signatures.

[@savinggrace9844]

You didn’t have to do that! It’s called self control! So much for being the example.

[@mackdeen7021]

She’s always highlighting herself and her actions with grandiose justification and self entitlement when she’s caught acting like a Buffoon. Even with ridiculously petty and shameful things as fighting with other women in public bathrooms at night clubs and flipping off parades in public in front of children and people taking pictures etc. she’s has no shame and is a complete narcissist.

[@holly0017]

F#%k that, flip me im flipping back.

[@33muggie]

@@mackdeen7021 she was breaking a fight up get your FACTS straight

[@waynehand4600]

She can’t help herself,it’s in the blood

[@candiarchibald9701]

You simply cannot make this hot mess up. Lol

[@Buasop]

Resign LaToilet

[@abrahamjackson6019]

But you love soon to be President Trump behavior. The hypocrisy of your kind is laughable.....😅 Amazing

[@Buasop]

@@abrahamjackson6019 I hate 45 more than you can imagine, but LaToilet is the flip side of the same counterfeit coin.

[@kelly9441]

They weren't disrespectful to the city, just her. Also, is that how people in high office react? No wonder crime is so bad it starts at the top

[@33muggie]

But yet white people want Donald back in office 🤔🤔🤔

[@kelly9441]

@@33muggie not me

[@beckymac7150]

Hopefully she will be voted into oblivion like Lori Lightfoot.

[@andymalnar7750]

translation? if the gesturing in question was made in reply to a gesturing received, LaToya cant be the better person and rise above, so she stoops down low to crawl with what she says is unbecoming. way to set the better example genius.

[@jizmoglass4202]

A Lightfoot is hired and fired everyday apparently

[@aweird1]

Did you hear that? You were afforded the “privilege” to ride in the parade by our wannabe monarch, LaToya the Destroya. How dare you show such insolence to her. If you people keep this up, she’ll take away your privilege of living in a city that isn’t overrun with crime and political corruption……oh, wait!

[@Tyree101]

Your an elected official, there's a certain code of conduct your suppose to follow. If someone gives you the middle finger in public, you just ignore them and carry on like anyone else. Just embarrassing.

[@redlikewineagain697]

I am speechless over her trying to defend what she did. Way to turn it around and put the blame on someone else. What is she teaching her daughter?!

[@skunkworksmusicgroup]

Tucks issued an apology and kicked out the offender. What you teaching your thugs?

[@anthonycarr719]

Recall Latoya

[@tas-life231]

On every float The tucks parade throws shade towards the city.

[@MrKingArthurhk]

New Orleans: 🖕🏽

[@masteryoda3679]

Ever since Vappie was removed from investigating that murdered kitty, she’s lost her marbles. I’m sure I’ll see him on first 48 again. No need to worry mayor!!😂😂😂

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Who else thinks it's funny the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "flipping the bird" is not "flipping the bird" though?

[@jizmoglass4202]

The irony is just so perfect. It took me a sec to process that and then I almost just died laughing right now. Thank you.

[@jizmoglass4202]

you can't make that stuff up. That's pure comedy gold.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@jizmoglass4202 You're welcome.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@jizmoglass4202 I am deaf in my right ear and even know some sign language, but I never knew this hilarious fact.

[@tanny1229]

Total Meltdown! The toll of the democrat party.

[@neskaya14]

Why is this person still mayor

[@dedfishermen985]

Such a classy Mayor, y’all need to vote out the trash down in NOLA

[@datgirlsaintsational831]

Girl bye! That's not how new orleanians act!

[@masteryoda3679]

Vappie Mardi Gras🖕🏾

[@imrightyourewrong7441]

Exactly. Don't start none, won't be none.

[@sherryn39455]

Real trashy to stoop to someone else’s level, now that’s a real lady!!!!!!!

[@abdulinniss3287]

Another Lori Lightfoot

[@_rob_.]

You need to investigate that sign language interpreter. Just...a suggestion.

[@DustinChase]

Wow way to lead by example MAYOR.

[@c1peewee]

That is the jezebel you all wanted in

[@jonk9977]

Work so hard ... Paying over time I'm secret service.always plays the victim or race card ..

[@agbook2007]

The Mayor did not wave… except a single finger👎

[@Vtwin60]

This fine woman is a perfect example of values and class of our govt as a whole. I hope she one day is in charge of the fbi or cia, im sure she'd just do what theyre doing now

[@frankgarcia3009]

Oh my God, what a BS answer. 🙄

[@davidrich4758]

0:31 WTF was that?

[@jizmoglass4202]

Keepin it classy. Mayor Madea? Woah, that got really weird and escalladed quickly didn't it. Hey, She said it. Not me. She says some good things mixed with some blatantly culture biased things. Not going to type the Race word, however why is this becoming a thing again after we spent so much time and effort to try to squash and end all of that years ago?. Isn't Mardi gras supposed to be fun for all humans from every corner of the world? Now there's a race stigma in Louisiana of all places? I've got friends and family there. A wise man once said. "Can't we all just get along?"

[@tanny1229]

Never liked Tyler Perry.

[@jizmoglass4202]

Glad I'm not the only one who got weird vibes from this and her. Sorry "Latoya". Drops microphone

[@mackdeen7021]

There’s a race stigma now because our mayor made it up in her attempt to keep her position of power. Shes pandering to the national media and making it out that she’s being attacked because of race Even thought the brave, intelligent and strong person heading the recall is also a black woman. Hmmmmm. Our Mayor (of all people) is the one who made it about race and even worse is willing to divide and tear the city apart to keep her power as an elected official. She’s be happy to see a race war if it helped her. Unfortunately for her the black community has also had enough. It’s absolutely deplorable what she’s doing.

[@crazycatman5928]

So she did it out of love? Wow.

[@deborahbarkins5664]

I wonder who took that video

[@mackdeen7021]

Who was NOT recording at a Mardi Gras parade? Everyone is receding, and I’m sure people everywhere in the crowd are recording the mayor or taking pictures of her. It’s 2023…people standing with their phones out during parades….where have you been? Lmfao

[@johnprendergast1338]

She is the city ..?? She is now...

[@Lizzieverse]

Taking lessons from Fauci apparently

[@theawall7984]

This woman reminds me of Chicago's mayor. These two women have similar traits and their cities have high crime.

[@Sonic1friends]

No. I disagree. We are human and you get tired of being disrespected. I pray more men would rise up and protect us. Especially black men... Our kings and priests.. 💜

[@anonperson4597]

Now she’s suing someone because they took her photo in public while she gazed lovingly into her…..hired helps….eyes at a dinner on the sidewalk.

[@DustinChase]

Man could u imagine her and mayor Lightfoot together boy them two faces only god could love

[@dyates6380]

LOL!!!!!!!!!! Never mind all that. We are in a time of identity over competence. She's a black woman, so she can do no wrong, regardless of how crass or incompetent she is. Look at Mumbles and Heels Up Harris, and the poor little identity hire "press secretary". She's not as bad as that crew .......

[@USA__2023]

Karine is way out of her league, big time. but she is kinda cute LOL

[@Tajagee123]

She is evil 💯

[@Horton13]

Classless dei hire

[@tygodine]

To the residence of New Orleans, you were elected her. Enjoy.

[@moboutmen]

Scriptwriters wouldn't touch this crap.

[@javionriley8739]

I love this mayor !! She’s the best, white peoples upset that she got the power! I don’t understand why people think they can crap on public officials & not expect them to respond!!

[@redlikewineagain697]

Oh, yeah? What about the black people who want her recalled? What's their reason?

[@USA__2023]

White people are not upset about a black woman having power. Get a life. Her problems stem from her actions, white or black.

[@Rubemlinc]

LOL hahahahahaha classy mayor, thats why new orleans is so goood