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

[goodcookinmama]

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

By MARY FOSTER
The Associated Press

JENA, La. (AP) - Two civil rights leaders urged Jena residents to demand equal justice, and one called for an investigation of the district attorney who is prosecuting six black teenagers charged with serious crimes in the beating of a white classmate.

The Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton both said Sunday they would join thousands of people expected in Jena on Sept. 20 to protest the teens' treatment. That is the day that one of the six, Mychal Bell, is to be sentenced on an aggravated second-degree battery conviction. Bell faces up to 15 years in prison.




"After that, if we need to, we'll go to Baton Rouge and see the governor and the Legislature," Sharpton said Sunday by phone from New York.

The "Jena Six" case drew protests after five of the six teens were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, carrying sentences of up to 80 years in prison. The sixth was charged in juvenile court.

The beating victim, who is white, was treated for injuries at a hospital and released the same day, and a motive for the alleged Dec. 4 attack at Jena High School was never established.

Sharpton said he would ask for an investigation by the state attorney general and judicial oversight agencies into the actions of LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters, who has led the prosecutions.

A telephone message left at Walters' residence was not returned Sunday. He has previously said he cannot comment because of the pending cases.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to about 200 people at a school Sunday in Jena, where he urged the town's 3,000 residents to come together - white ministers and black ministers talking and white parents and black parents talking.

"Why be fighting when we can turn to each other and find common ground?" Jackson said. "Jena is too small not to move together."

He said he planned to try to meet Monday with Bell, who remains in jail and unable to post bond, as well as officials at the courthouse.

"We don't want this community to be permanently scarred," Jackson said.

The beating came amid tense race relations in Jena, a mostly white town in north-central Louisiana. After a black student sat under a tree on the school campus where white students traditionally congregated, three nooses were hung in the tree. Students accused of placing the nooses were suspended from school for a short period.


BlackNews.com - Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton Demand Equal Justice in Jena, Louisiana

[afrocentric]

they on the roll now!!

[goodcookinmama]

Originally Posted by afrocentric

they on the roll now!!

yes we are i was so proud to see all of the support that the black communty showed the jena 6 i was crying it was like i felt all the pain of my mother grandmomma uncles FROM BACK IN THE DAY an here we are in 2007 an they think we going out like that hell no we are not having it an we showed them just that yesterday
SAY IT LOUD I AM BLACK AND PROUD AN WILL NOT STAND FOR INJUSTICE

[Sumyr]

I don't care what people say about Rev. Al or Rev. Jackson, they are always there when the community needs them.

I was very surprised to read in another story that singer David Bowie had contributed $10,000 to the defense of Mychal Bell. I'm happy he did this, very happy. But saddened that NONE of "OUR" black entertainers offered their financial assistance. Interesting.

[DBlack]

Originally Posted by Sumyr

I don't care what people say about Rev. Al or Rev. Jackson, they are always there when the community needs them.

I was very surprised to read in another story that singer David Bowie had contributed $10,000 to the defense of Mychal Bell. I'm happy he did this, very happy. But saddened that NONE of "OUR" black entertainers offered their financial assistance. Interesting.

First, let's also give propes to Michael Baisden. He was a huge catalyst in getting drumming up awareness on Jena 6 and getting the rally going.

Respect...

Tell em Sumyr. See, it's easy for whites to indulge in the lynching and character assassinations of our leaders. But when our very own, particularly our celebrities, athletes and civil leaders, stand Idly by when something like this happens, they should be called out and held accountable for the lack of action or even verbal protest.

And he we have to stop being who we are to be accepted by whites for the sake of social and political power gains, then I am more than happy to remain what I am, a proud black man.

And apparently, so is M. Baisden, J. Jackson and A. Sharpton.

[Lediamand]

Although the media did their best to make reverend Al Sharpton to look like a crazy Old Black guy who think everything is about racism, but we all know that Reverend Sharpton is the real deal and he has been there for his people whenever he is needed . Props to all who contributed to make the rally a success.

[Sumyr]

First, let's also give propes to Michael Baisden. He was a huge catalyst in getting drumming up awareness on Jena 6 and getting the rally going.

Respect...

Tell em Sumyr. See, it's easy for whites to indulge in the lynching and character assassinations of our leaders. But when our very own, particularly our celebrities, athletes and civil leaders, stand Idly by when something like this happens, they should be called out and held accountable for the lack of action or even verbal protest.

And he we have to stop being who we are to be accepted by whites for the sake of social and political power gains, then I am more than happy to remain what I am, a proud black man.

And apparently, so is M. Baisden, J. Jackson and A. Sharpton.

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!

[afrocentric]

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.

me too. i would have at least thought that they would send word or donated something. i don't know about tyra but i know oprah has done alot for the community in her own way.

But when our very own, particularly our celebrities, athletes and civil leaders, stand Idly by when something like this happens, they should be called out and held accountable for the lack of action or even verbal protest.

i'm definitely agreeing with u on this.

[Mr Gumbo]

It was great too see, I was very proud but what now? What did we accomplish, they are still in jail correct? Will we go back to hating and killing each other this weekend? Will this jump start our people into the big wake up and get back on our feet as a people? I hope the later is the answer that happens. We also need to keep this going to all parts of this country because I'm sure there are cases similar to this all over the place.

[Sumyr]

Just read this on another site. I'm glad some of our black entertainers are stepping foward:

Link to story: Posts from the Entertainment Newswire Category at Black Voices Blogs

BOBBY BROWN: Getting Down with JENA 6 Cause
Posted Sep 21st 2007 1:11PM by Karu F. Daniels
Filed under: Entertainment Newswire

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

He's not a name usually associated with political causes but Bobby Brown will reportedly join a long list of hip-hop-centric performers for a concert aiming to raise awareness about the JENA SIX controversy.

The 'My Prerogative' singer (and ex-husband of Whitney Houston) is slated to appear alongside Nick Cannon, Lloyd, Baby Boy, Sean P, Twista, Tank, Jagged Edge, Killer Mike and Hurricane Chris at the "Jena 6 Empowerment Concert," to be held in Birmingham, Alabama on Sept. 29

According to published reports, organizers of the event are hoping it will raise national awareness of the incidents surrounding the case, in which six African-American teens appear to be victims of a racially biased judicial system.