‘Public demonstration of love’ for actor who died this week sees fans dressed as Star Wars character stage ‘Chewbacchus’ parade in streets of the Big Easy

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

In New Orleans on Friday, thousands turned out to honor Carrie Fisher, the actor famous for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.

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Fisher, whose tough-talking princess defied Empire generals while tossing off one-liners such as “into the garbage chute, flyboy”, died on Tuesday.

In New Orleans, where death is marked by both mourning and merriment, a Mardi Gras group called the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade in honor of the woman they consider royalty.

“This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia,” said Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes, a dancing group made up of fans who dress like Princess Leia.

“Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.”

Chewbacchus is dedicated to all things sci-fi and fantasy related and has always drawn inspiration from the Star Wars movies. The group’s logo features the head of Chewbacca, the furry Wookiee who was Han Solo’s close friend and co-pilot.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A small Darth Vader and a small Leia. Photograph: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Fisher had been hospitalized since 23 December after falling ill aboard a flight and being treated by paramedics at the Los Angeles airport. One day after Fisher’s death, her actor mother, 84-year-old Debbie Reynolds, died too. A joint funeral for the two women has been announced.

In New Orleans, the parade was led by the Leijorettes, followed by a brass band playing the Star Wars theme as hundreds of people – many in costume or carrying lightsabers – walked behind them. Fans lined the road, taking photos.

“I didn’t know her. But as [she was] an iconic character and as a person, a writer and a smart, funny, fantastic woman and role model, I was heartbroken and devastated,” Dale Hrebrik said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Leias check their phones. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

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But even in a crowd where Fisher’s Princess Leia role was front and center, many pointed out the contributions Fisher had made even after her Star Wars acting wound down. One marcher in the crowd held a sign calling Fisher, who spoke openly about her struggles with bipolar disorder, a mental health advocate.

Jacquelyn Ryan came with her husband and two children. Her hair was wrapped in the two side buns Fisher wore in the first movie, but Ryan said she was more impressed with Fisher’s other contributions.

“Probably my first introduction to her was Star Wars, but she as a person was really important. Her activism, her mental health awareness, her activism for women, her unapologetic attitude about youth and beauty in Hollywood really spoke to me,” Ryan said.