Mardi Gras Takes A Serious Turn With Float Riders Removed

This Mardi Gras season has been marred by a concerning trend of malicious behavior all across Louisiana. Serious incidents along parade routes are increasingly requiring law enforcement intervention from Shreveport to New Orleans.

This latest situation unfolded when all 32 members float riders were escorted off their float, mid-parade, for throwing with intent to harm. Law enforcement intervened to stop the aggressive behavior that occurred during this past weekend's parade.

More Aggressive Throws Disrupt Mardi Gras Parade

The recent incident too place during the Krewe of Thoth parade in New Orleans on Sunday, February 15th, 2026. Initial police reports corrected regarding federal agents. But updated reports from authorities painted a very different picture of who the float riders were actually trying to harm with their throws.

The New Orleans Police Department initially claimed the riders were launching items at federal ICE agents who were stationed along the parade route. That narrative shifted quickly as more information became available and police revised their official account of the incident. The riders were not attacking federal agents...instead they were aiming at regular parade goers who were holding signs protesting ICE.

Protest Signs Triggered Intentional Assault From Float

The individuals holding the protest signs became the direct targets of float riders as the massive procession moved forward. These riders used the elevated position of their float to aggressively hurl Mardi Gras throws as weapons rather than festive trinkets.

Authorities determined the throwing was done with clear intent to harm the demonstrators standing on the ground below. This resulted in the immediate removal of every single rider on that specific float to ensure the safety of everyone attending the event.

Second Major Rider Removal Of The Mardi Gras Season

This aggressive incident highlights a growing concern for spectator safety along parade routes during this current season. It also marks the second time this month that law enforcement has had to clear an entire float due to malicious throwing.

A similar situation took place earlier in the season during the Krewe of Carrollton parade. In that incident, riders were also removed mid-route after authorities witnessed them throwing beads with intent to harm.

This follows issues that led to arrests in Shreveport, Jeanerette, and a shooting in Clinton.

A woman was arrested in Shreveport after an altercation took place on the parade route. Two woman are being pursued by police in Jeanerette for an aggravated vehicular assault on a parade route. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office is dealing with a shooting in Clifton during a Mardi Gras parade that injured a 6-year-old, and is likely to leave a woman paralyzed.