Jena 6
 

I just learned about this case this evening.

May 20th Chicago Tribune article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ck=1&cset=true

June 26th Chicago Tribune article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ck=1&cset=true

Post about it on YBF with information about contributing to Mychal Bell's defense fund
http://ybf.blogspot.com/2007/08/take...a-6.html#links

Just wanting to keep you all informed about a pretty serious issue in our community.

I think this deserves soooo much more attention than the use of the "N-Word" and Karrine Steffans...

It does. Both Michael Baisden and Tom Joyner were talking about the situation today.

I know that members of ours school's BLSA (Black Law Students Association) are planning to roll down there to see what's up. This entire matter is ridiculous! It's situations like this that make me happy that I am becoming an attorney. Bulls**t like this MUST be STOPPED! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Warning: this link loads adware on your computer, if you do not have some kind of spysweeper.

Court overturns conviction in Jena beating
 

Court overturns conviction in Jena beating

Judges rule teen should not have been tried as adult in racially tinged case


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20779755/?GT1=10357

This whole thing makes me sick to my stomach. My best friend's little brother was falsely accused of a crime like this and when he refused to admit to something he didn't do, they upped the charges to felony assault. :mad: It's like watching that poor boy go through it all over again. But he won that case and I know these kids will, too. I won't let myself believe anything else.

Hmm. Seems like pretty excessive charges. But 6 on one is cowardly.

6 vs. 1 is cowardly. An entire legal system vs. 6 is a d@mn shame.

If you read the history of the case, this is just one in a whole series of incidents, many of which were just as unfair.

Please read the facts of this case and if you so choose then write letters to the judges and DA and help to set these boys free. Here is an update on the case. Also click on the link Jena 6 in my siggy, and it will lead you to an organization who is in support of the Jena 6.

http://bravenewfilms.org/topics/jena-6

Addresses for the Congress people, Governor, the DA; addresses to send support to Mychal and for the Jena 6 defense fund. Demand these boys are released, counseled and returned to school.

http://www.steveharvey.com/whatsnow/


Because you, and others, don't know the timeline and are making comments on events that are out of context, here's the context.

from:
http://www.digtriad.com/news/nationa...9266&catid=175

As of today, Mychal is still in jail, even though his conviction has been overturned.

The letter that I just sent to the governor, my second with regards to this matter (the bolded portion is particularly important, as a friend pointed out to me). I urge everyone who hasn't to write a letter, place a phone call, or travel to Jena--I know that buses are leaving from all over the place to go there (a friend in L. A. says they even have one going from there). I also think that letters to the media are important, because this issue is still not receiving the kind of media coverage it deserves, though I have seen more in recent weeks.


My letter:

It is to my extreme shock that the situation in Jena, Louisiana remains unresolved. I am sure that you are aware to the incidents, the resulting charges, and the subsequent trials of the six young men in Jena. I am sure that you are also aware that the sentence of Mychal Bell has recently been overturned. So the question becomes, why is this young man still in jail.

The questions surrounding this situation abound. Why did the school system not take swift and decisive action to nip this problem in the bud before it escalated into the issue before us today? Why does it seem that in taking issue with regards to this matter, black students have been on the receiving end of threats and intimidation, while white students have received only proverbial slaps on the wrist? Is Louisiana the kind of state where empowered racists use Jim Crow era tactics to exercise control over the black population, while those with the power do nothing to stop it?

I hope that your office is taking some action with regard to this matter. I hope that, in addition to making certain that these young men are not punished more than their actions warrant, there will be an investigation into how this miscarriage of justice could have been allowed to continue to this point. I hope that the D.A., the school superintendent, and all others who have been integrally involved in this matter will be investigated and receive censure based on their part in what essentially amounts to discriminatory distribution of punishment. I hope too that your office understands how this one case reflects on the state of Louisiana as a whole and what the message that it sends about the state of race in Jena in 2007.

I look forward to hearing about the ways that your office has and will continue to intervene with regards to this matter.

* sending this thread and articles to Oprah*

Is anyone going to Jena? The Omegas at my school are taking a bus, but I can not afford to take off of work which also means I can not afford to go.

Jesse Jackson: Obama needs to bring more attention to Jena 6
 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson criticized Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday over his reaction to the arrest of six black juveniles in Jena, Louisiana, on murder charges, accusing the Illinois senator of "acting like he's white," according to a South Carolina newspaper.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/...na6/index.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know we have a few GC'ers that attend Benedict College so if you were there, was this your take on his speech or is this just media hype?

To everyone: Why isn't any of the presidential candidates doing more (or at least trying)?

I don't know. A few weeks ago Clinton, Edwards, and one other candidate were here for a forum the week of the Katrina anniversary. Soledad O'Brien was the moderator. I submitted the question to be asked concerning the Jena 6. I don't think it was submitted to the candidates.

To everyone attending, God Speed. I'll have on black and will be there in spirit. I know enough people going, where a part of me will be there. Just hearing about all the people coming down on M. Baesden's show was very moving. There are 12 busses coming up from New Orleans. Supposedly, Bill Cosby and Susan L. Taylor are paying for a few of those busses to make the trip.

I think Ice Cube is sponsoring busses coming over from Cali.
I can't wait to hear the stories and see the coverage.

Ditto

Me too....I really wanted to go but it just didn't work out so Lil OOhsoFly and I will both have on all black....

Brotha-man and I can't be there but we did the next best thing...we sent a Soror in my chapter to go. She's from Louisana and so passionately wanted to be there and because she never asked us for help, I felt "tickled pink" in my heart to get her there!

Yes, me too!

Me three. I just watched the news reporting that there are several barricades already set up around the area preparing for the march.

To all attending and please be SAFE and CAREFUL.

My prayers go out to those who are traveling to Jena, prayerfully justice will be served.

If you go to CNN, you can see the live video stream of the rally.

As my late grandmother would say, "Look at allllllll the peopleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". They have shut the highway down and folks are walking into town.

WOW!

I just heard that announced on CNN. They sure do have a whole bunch of people. After the rally, they need to leave Jena and get to New Orleans. All those people there could build 7 houses in one day. I'm just saying.

^^^Stop! :o

Please Sorors don't "OO OOP" at the rally today.:o:o I just heard some "U Know" and cringed. Today isn't the time or the place.

LMAO. I heard "skee wee" and "06" so you know the rest are sure to come.

I thought I heard an "06" but wasn't sure. Oh well. Rally on dear rallyers.

:mad::mad: I can't see it on my job.

Good point!

I'm watching the coverage on CNN and I'm in awe! :)

May God be with those attending!

When is the "march" going to start? Will there be speeches? I need something more than the city roll call.:o

Jesse is speaking now. Click on one of the smaller screens to the right. They have cameras all over. The march will begin shortly.

Statement of
Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.
General President

( BALTIMORE , MD ) – It is sobering to know that in 2007 Martin Luther King’s dream of equal treatment, respect, fairness and opportunity is still not realized. For any court in the United States of America to deny African Americans their constitutional right to due process, equal application of the law, to a fair hearing, and the administration of justice with prejudice is inhumane and downright wrong.


It was wrong in the Dred Scott case before the Missouri Supreme Court in 1850 and before the United States Supreme Court in 1857. Justice Taney's outrageous notion that a black man has no rights that a white man is bound to respect was wrong in 1857; it was wrong in 1957; and, it is wrong today in 2007. It is unfortunate, even tragic that 150 years later, there are apparently still some who believe Taney's ill conceived logic.


The judicial railroading suffered by Adolph Plessey here in Louisiana was wrong in 1892 and 1896. And, the judicial railroading of the Jena 6 in Louisiana in 2006 and 2007 is wrong today. The racially motivated rush to prosecute, convict and execute the young black men known as the Scottsboro nine was wrong three-quarters of a century ago. And, the racially motivated rush to prosecute, convict and imprison the young black men known as the Jena 6 is wrong today.


The decision to overturn the original charges is a good first step, but it is not a closed case. These young men still stand the chance of going to jail unjustly. So like Amos who spoke out against injustice in his day, and Martin who spoke out against injustice in his day, I stand here today and commit the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to stand up and speak up on behalf of the Jena 6 “until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream!"

The plight of the Jena 6 should serve as a wake up call to black, white and brown America ; we can no longer continue to live in denial with the belief that racism and hatred no longer exists. We must embrace the thought, and demonstrate through our actions, the realization that we are responsible for more than our own front walk…as long as one person is experiencing injustice, we all are experiencing injustice. I ask people of good will everywhere to let your voices be heard. We are not satisfied and will not be satisfied until justice is served.


The members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated have historically engaged in the struggle to uplift the downtrodden in their efforts to achieve the promise of social and economic parity described and prescribed in the pledge of allegiance to this great republic that declares liberty and justice for all.


For over 100 years brothers of Alpha have given of their time, talent and treasury to combat the sinister forces of injustice and unfairness, so prevalent during the years of Jim Crow, as well as the denial of civil rights to some.



And, by my presence here today, we declare that as conscientious African American men dedicated to making a positive difference, not just a statement or symbolic gesture, but to make real for these young men of Jena, Louisiana and others who experience this tragedy each and every day, the promises of democracy guaranteed by the founding fathers of this nation.



I close with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of god's children”


To make a financial contribution to the “Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund”, make your checks payable to the " Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund" and mail them to:
Attention: Jena 6 Legal Defense Fund

NAACP National Headquarters
Development Department
c/o: Frank A. Humphrey, Assistant Treasurer
4805 Mount Hope Drive
Baltimore , MD 21215


ABOUT ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York , Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights, through Alpha men such as W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, William Gray, and Cornel West. Within the 110th United States Congress are eight Alpha men including Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO), Danny K. Davis (IL), Chaka Fattah (PA), Al Green (TX), Gregory Meeks (NY), Charles B. Rangel (NY), David Scott (GA), and Robert C. Scott (VA). The fraternity through its college and alumni chapters serves the community through nearly a thousand chapters in the United States , Europe and the Caribbean For more information, visit www.apa1906.net.

Media Contact:
MWPR, Inc. ¦Monica Wood Public Relations
704-430-6300
mwood@mwprinc.com

Oh okay. Thanks!
I was watching the crowd one as I do work so now I see the other stuff. Thank mercy for something different.

I turned on CNN and Bush was on. Where is the coverage?

i'm watching on the Internet at work.

They are beginning to march..they are getting everyone lined up to march

My cousin just sent this link

http://thejenatimes.net/home_page_graphics/home.html