Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton Demand Equal Justice in Jena, Louisiana

[Samoon]

The whole premise with this asinine D.A. refusing to "recognize" the stunt pulled by the white students as "racist" is that, if the ruling becomes that the student's civil rights were violated, then this opens the door for this to go before the Justice Department. This is why this D.A. is attempting to keep this at the "state" level.

[robbboy2003]

Originally Posted by Sumyr

DBlack, You're correct; I missed Michael Baisden. He deserves many accolades for his "HUGE" part in all of this, as well as so many others who are smaller rungs, but still very important in this fight. I only listed the Rev's as so many are quick to speak bad against them and say "they need to go sit down somewhere" - it was especially said about Rev. Jackson after he went to NO after Katrina.

I must say though I'm very shocked Oprah hasn't been a supporter of this, nor any of our other black talk show hosts, Montel & Tyra. I could be wrong (and someone correct me if I am) but I haven't seen/heard anything from any of them. Shocked me to pieces to read that David Bowie of all people contributed money - but not our own.

Nonetheless, I was sooooooooo proud to turn to various news stations and they reported that is was a very peaceful march/rally and it went off without a single incident or altercation. I know some were hoping to report mayhem and chaos. Proud to be an African American, or Black, or whatever we are calling ourselves nowadays!

He's married to a Black Woman,and from appearances seems to love her very much. Some folks are stuck in their little white world,and don't really get black causes anymore Peace!

[robbboy2003]

The reverend's are doing their thang! Props to them for all they do. I wish we could get another strong young Black leader. One who can speak his mind.

I see now. It won't be the one running for president. Peace!

[Baba Ahmed]

JJ & Sharpton urges the residents to demand... why don't they demand justice. They're noted as being Black people of influence. Oh but that's different from being a Black people with authority and power.

To influence means to negotiate. Power demands and is able to enforce demands.

Makes for sensational headlines, though. Also now's the time for heady participants who organized and marched to form groups to demand; e.g., in the face of a nationwide boycott of some sort. The marchers are still "high" from yesterday.

[SchoolofSoul]

Originally Posted by Sumyr

I must say though I'm very shocked Oprah hasn't been a supporter of this, nor any of our other black talk show hosts, Montel & Tyra. I could be wrong (and someone correct me if I am) but I haven't seen/heard anything from any of them. Shocked me to pieces to read that David Bowie of all people contributed money - but not our own.

I'm really irritated that Oprah hasn't spoken up about this at all. Montel and Tyra I never really expected to hear anything about this from, but it is a bit annoying that neither have bothered to have even one show about it.

I have to admit I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of coverage this has gotten from both local and national TV news media, though. It's been pretty consistent and positive. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS did a good feature story on the case. It's a shame 60 Minutes hasn't picked it up yet. Hopefully soon. Of course, Democracy Now! has been on top of it for months, and this week has been no different. Their coverage has been more extensive than anyone else's. In fact, with the exception of Monday, all of this week's programs have been Jena 6-related in some form or another.

[Baba Ahmed]

And give mucho pats on the backs of online blogs and forums, such as this. My daughter told people from Alaska were there.

[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by SchoolofSoul

I'm really irritated that Oprah hasn't spoken up about this at all. Montel and Tyra I never really expected to hear anything about this from, but it is a bit annoying that neither have bothered to have even one show about it.

Why "a bit annoying?"

[SchoolofSoul]

Barack Obama's official statement on the Jena 6 case, from yesterday:

BarackObama.com | Sam Graham-Felsen's Blog: Senator Obama on the Jena 6

Today I stand with those who stand for justice in Jena. The thousands of Americans from every race and region who have descended on this small Louisiana town carry forth the legacy of all those who sat at lunch counters and took freedom rides to strike a blow against injustice wherever it may exist. When a noose hangs from a schoolyard tree in the 21st century and young men are treated in a way that is not equal nor just, it is not just an offense to the people of Jena or to the African-American community, it is an offense to the ideals we hold as Americans. I renew my call for the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges filed in this case, and I will continue my decades-long fight against injustice and division as President.

Previous Obama quotes on the Jena 6:

Barack Oblogger: Obama's Statements on the Jena 6

September 19, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"Outrage over an injustice like the Jena 6 isn't a matter of black and white. It's a matter of right and wrong. We should stand as one nation in opposition to this and any injustice. That’s why I’ve previously spoken out and demanded fairness in the Jena 6 case. That's why I've fought against injustice as a civil rights attorney and public official, and why I'll continue to fight to heal the wounds of division in our nation as president. My statements on Jena 6 were carefully thought out with input and support from one of my National Campaign Chairmen, U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr."

September 14, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"I am pleased that the Louisiana state appeals court recognized that the aggravated battery charge brought in this case was inappropriate. I hope that today's decision will lead the prosecutor to reconsider the excessive charges brought against all the teenagers in this case. And I hope that the judicial process will move deliberately to ensure that all of the defendants will receive a fair trial and equal justice under the law."

Obama Demands Fairness in Jena 6 Case

Chicago, IL | September 10, 2007

Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama made the following statement today in response to the Jena 6 case.

"When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it's a tragedy. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions. This isn't just Jena's problem; it's America's problem."

"There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It's a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It's a problem when a public defender doesn't call any witnesses. And it's a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the CBC, will continue to monitor this case closely."

"Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it's Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it's long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances."

[SchoolofSoul]

Originally Posted by Baba Ahmed

Why "a bit annoying?"

Well, as I said, I didn't expect them to have done so, given the fact that political issues like this aren't commonplace for their daytime shows, but it would have been refreshing and appreciated had they stepped out of their normal show topic comfort zones and done shows on the Jena 6 case anyway.

Oprah, on the other hand, carries more media weight than either Montel or Tyra, and she has done shows about similar cases in the past. Personally, I think Oprah has a duty to do shows like this. It wasn't like the demonstration yesterday was sudden, unannounced news, either. The Jena 6 case has been in the news for several months now. She's had plenty of time to prepare.

[Baba Ahmed]

Yeah I feel ya; but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were u.

UNLESS

Yung Bell 'n nem get more media attention, now that the marchers have returned home. Will it be "bidness as usual?" If so on will go the Harpo, I mean Oprah show and remain as is.