The Electronic Village has the low-down on the Jena Six trial, along with suggestions for action:
The AfroSpear encourages all villagers to realize the following:
- In light of the circumstances surrounding Mychal Bell’s case, we urge all villagers to support the call for a new trial.
- It is unacceptable to selectively enforce the law based on race. Prosecutorial discretion should be used in a fair and equitable manner.
- The Jena Six should be tried by juries that reflect the racial and ethnic demographics of Jena, LA.
- The hanging of nooses is not a “youthful stunt” or “prank.” It is a hate crime. Such hate crimes should not be tolerated at any school. Jena High School must establish a curriculum which promotes cultural sensitivity and understanding.
- The AfroSpear calls on Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti to thoroughly investigate and monitor the trials of Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey, Jr., Theo Shaw, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis and John Doe. The Governor and State Attorney General should do everything in their power to ensure that these young men’s constitutional rights are protected.
- All villagers should reach out to their own congressman and senators requesting a federal investigation of this racist behavior in Jena, LA.
- All villagers should sign the online petition as well
The now infamous “whites only” tree has been cut down.
Over 300 people drove into Jena, La, on July 31st to protest the treatment the Jena Six have received.
Don’t forget to support ColorOfChange’s continued efforts to bring justice to the Jena Six.
Other relevant email links:
Jena 6 Defense Fund
jena6defense@gmail.com
Louisiana Attorney General’s office
CivilInfo@ag.state.la.us Civil Division
Executive@ag.state.la.us Executive Division
I’ve created a Facebook group and cause for the Jena Six. There are also several other groups dedicated to spreading the word about the Jena Six. Join one, join them all, just help get the word out.
Friends of Justice also has information on how to get involved.
Sylvia, Elle, and Tom have also been all over this case. Check them out for more updates.
There are 11,171 signatures on the petition to the U.S. DoJ as of this writing.
There is also an international petition to the U.S. DoJ now, created by David & Nathalie Ryckaert-Declercq, that everyone can sign.
I can’t believe all the racist tripe and ignorance by most of the comments left here. Black this and black that…blah blah blah. People are sick about hearing the constant whining about perceived racial issues. First, the simple act of hanging rope from a tree is not a crime, nor should it be, in Louisiana or any other state. The prosecutor in Louisiana has stated this much. Secondly, these six should be punished for what they did and they will be by a judge or jury. It’s amazing how blinded by emotion people become when some race pimping spiritual maggot like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton cry foul. It’s my opinion that the people that demonstrated in Jena and many of the posters here are the true racists. Here’s fact: racism will always exist. Some blacks are racist and so are some whites and everything in between. Deal with it. I don’t have to like you because you’re white or because you’re black. It’s how we respond and deal with racism that will determine if it continues. Stop looking at skin color and look at your fellow human being. Don’t let your emotion rule you. Think and then act. Now we’ll see if my post is removed or how many people call me a racist. Look in the mirror.
I love it when you jackasses come to a site that you’ve obviously never been to before and, before anyone even responds to you, you declare how you just KNOW that you will be deleted because the truth you speak is just too hard for us poor misguided souls.
Sorry, Peter, but I prefer to let your comment stand so that all can read your bullshit and hopefully learn from it.
But I also hate to disappoint. So, I must add:
You’re a racist.
And while I’m at it, let me school you on a few things.
1) “People” are not “sick about hearing the constant whining about perceived racial issues.” White racist people are sick about hearing the constant complaints about actual racial issues.
2) Um, sorry, but hanging a noose is not a “simple act of hanging a rope from a tree.” It’s a threat, a threat that most black folks understand immediately.
3) No one has said that the Jena Six shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions. What is being argued is that when white folks in Jena commit equal crimes, they get probation, while the black folks get charged with attempted murder. I’d ask you to explain why this is reasonable, but you won’t be able to answer me since I’m about to close comments on this thread.
4) Jackson and Sharpton were late to the game. They jumped on this months after the grassroots bloggers had made an impact. For you to bring them up shows that you have no idea about the activism behind the Jena Six Cause. You had no idea about any of this on 2 August, when I posted this. And now you come here, two months late to the game, and want to talk shit about how we’re all kowtowing to them? You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
5) In case you missed it; you’re a racist.
And with that, this thread is closed. I’m sick of it. You can go to your own blogs and write your racist bullshit there.