You don't
have to go to Jena to make a difference--you can make a major impact on
the 20th by taking action in your own community.
ColorOfChange.org is organizing a NationalDayofAction
on the 20th to raise awareness about the Jena 6 situation, increase
pressure on Governor Blanco, and make it clear that folks all over the
country will not let this injustice stand. Whether you have a few minutes to call Louisiana
officials, a half-hour to pass out flyers in your neighborhood, or an
hour or so to host or attend a rally or vigil, you can play a key role. ColorOfChange's online tools and materials make it easy. Click here to learn more or to sign up now:
JENA, Louisiana (CNN) -- Thousands of protesters clogged the
tiny town of Jena, Louisiana, Thursday to show their indignation over
what they consider unjust, unequal punishments meted out in two
racially charged incidents.
Six black teens have been charged with the beating of a white high school student in the rural town of Jena, La. Jordan Flaherty, a journalist living in New Orleans, and Caseptla Bailey, the mother of one of the defendants, give an update on the case.
Listen
by Wade Goodwyn July 30, 2007 ·
As at hundreds of other high schools across America, black and white
students at Jena High School in Jena, La., rarely sit together. The
white students gather under a big shade tree in the courtyard, while
black students congregate near the auditorium.. Listen
We speak with the parents of three of the 'Jena Six' - the black high school students charged with attempted murder for a school fight in which a white student was beaten up. We are joined by Caseptla Bailey, the mother of Robert Bailey and Tina Jones, the mother of Bryant Purvis - both of their sons are awaiting trial on charges of attempted second degree murder and conspiracy. We also speak with Marcus Jones, his son, Mychal Bell, was the first of the Jena Six to go on trial. He was convicted just over a week ago of aggravated battery and conspiracy. He faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 31st. [includes rush transcript]
Six black students at Jena High School in Central Louisiana were
arrested last December after a school fight in which a white student
was beaten and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six
black students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They
face up to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place
amid mounting racial tension after a black student sat under a tree in
the schoolyard where only white students sat. The next day three nooses
were hanging from the tree. [includes rush transcript]
JENA, Louisiana (CNN) -- Thousands of protesters clogged the
tiny town of Jena, Louisiana, Thursday to show their indignation over
what they consider unjust, unequal punishments meted out in two
racially charged incidents.
By Howard Witt
Chicago Tribune senior correspondent
JENA, La. - There is no single leader. There is no agreed schedule.
Organizers aren't even certain where everyone is supposed to gather,
let alone use the restroom. The only thing that is known for sure is
that thousands of protesters are boarding buses at churches, colleges
and community centers across the country this week, headed for this
tiny dot on the map of central Louisiana.
You don't
have to go to Jena to make a difference--you can make a major impact on
the 20th by taking action in your own community.
ColorOfChange.org is organizing a NationalDayofAction
on the 20th to raise awareness about the Jena 6 situation, increase
pressure on Governor Blanco, and make it clear that folks all over the
country will not let this injustice stand. Whether you have a few minutes to call Louisiana
officials, a half-hour to pass out flyers in your neighborhood, or an
hour or so to host or attend a rally or vigil, you can play a key role. ColorOfChange's online tools and materials make it easy. Click here to learn more or to sign up now:
Part of 'Jena 6' conviction dropped; charges reduced
By Howard Witt
Chicago Tribune
September 5, 2007
HOUSTON — Ruling in a racially charged case that has drawn scrutiny
from national civil rights leaders, a judge in the small central
Louisiana town of Jena on Tuesday partially vacated the conviction of a
black teenager accused in the beating of a white student while the
district attorney reduced attempted murder charges against two other
black co-defendants.
Judge J.P. Mauffray threw out a conspiracy conviction against Mychal
Bell, granting a defense motion that Bell's June trial was improperly
held in adult court and should instead have been conducted as a
juvenile proceeding.
Residents: Nooses spark school violence, divide town
Susan Roesgen and Eliott C. McLaughlin
CNN
September 5, 2007
JENA, Louisiana (CNN) -- A judge Tuesday vacated one of two
convictions against a teen involved in a violent, racially charged
incident in Louisiana that left another teen hospitalized.
Defense lawyers argued -- and 28th Judicial District Court Judge
J.P. Mauffray Jr. agreed -- that a charge of conspiracy to commit
second-degree aggravated battery should have been brought against
Mychal Bell in juvenile court rather than adult court.
But he left standing Bell's conviction on a second-degree aggravated battery charge.
The teen's attorneys said they would file an emergency appeal and ask
for a stay of Bell's September 20 sentencing date until the appellate
court rules.
A judge threw out a teenager's conspiracy conviction in the alleged
beating of a white student by a group of black schoolmates, but the
teen's battery conviction still stands.
The ruling Tuesday means
Mychal Bell, 17, will face at most 15 years in prison rather than 22
1/2 when he is sentenced later this month.
La. Town Fells 'White Tree,' but Tension Runs Deep
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
JENA, La. -- Here in the woodsy heart of Louisiana,
town leaders were looking for a fresh start, a way to erase the recent
memory of Jim Crow-like hangman's nooses dangling from a shade tree at
the local high school. So they cut the tree down.
But after the
events of the past 12 months, that attempt by white officials about two
weeks ago to heal the town's deep racial divide before the start of a
new school year might be too little, too late.
This letter is an attempt to shed light on the recent ruling in the trial of Mychal Bell.
It is important for the public to understand that Mychal did not receive proper or fair representation from his attorney, the "public defender."
Jesse Muhammad Final Call Staff Writer reposted from finalcall.com
JENA, La. (FinalCall.com) - Marcus Jones, the
father of 16-year-old Jena High School football star Mychal Bell, pulls
out a box full of letters from countless major colleges and
universities in America who are trying to recruit his son. Mr. Jones,
with hurt in his voice, says, "He had so much going for him. My son is
innocent and they have done him wrong."
An all-White jury convicted Mr. Bell
of two felonies--aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated
battery--and faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced on July
31. Five other young Black males are also awaiting their day in court
for alleged attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit
second-degree murder charges evolving from a school fight: Robert
Bailey, 17; Theo Shaw, 17; Carwin Jones, 18; Bryant Purvis, 17; and
Jesse Beard, 15. Together, this group has come to be known as the "Jena
6."