[jordannola] Free The Jena Six - News and Updates

----- Original Message -----
From: jordan flaherty
To:
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 1:23 AM
Subject: [jordannola] Free The Jena Six - News and Updates

Friends and Allies,

Many of you have asked for updates on The Jena Six case, a major injustice unfolding in Jena, Louisiana, where six Black youths who stood up to racism are facing a lifetime in prison.

On June 28, 2007, Mychal Bell, the first defendant, was convicted by an all-white jury of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated second-degree battery. Bell, a high school student, faces up to 22 years in prison for a schoolyard fight. The fight was initiated by white students, who hung three nooses in a tree at the high school courtyard, to warn black students not to sit there. After this hate crime was dismissed as a harmless prank by the school administration, black students protested under the tree. The local District Attorney was called in to warn the black students that he could take their life away with the stroke of a pen. After authority figures refused to take a stand against racism, the noose incident led to a series of fights between white and black students. After these fights, only the black students were charged-with attempted murder. The prosecutor has refused to back down in prosecuting these young men, or to admit that hanging nooses is a hate crime.

Mychal Bell's sentencing was originally scheduled for next Tuesday, July 31, and a mass protest was scheduled for 9:00am on that date. The sentencing has been rescheduled to September 20, but the July 31 protest will still happen. Hundreds of people from around the US have expressed interest in coming, including national civil rights leaders, as well as large delegations from Houston, New Orleans, and other cities. A petition, signed by tens of thousands of people from around the world, will be delivered to Lasalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters on that day.

Below are some resources for information and action.

For background on the case, see:
http://www.leftturn.org/
http://friendsofjustice.wordpress.com/
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/10/1413220

Take Action:
Sign the petition at http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/

Donate online at: https://secure.colorofchange.org/jena_fund/

Or mail donations to:
Jena 6 Defense Committee
PO BOX 2798
Jena, LA 71342

If you are planning to come to Jena to join the July 31 protest, email jena@colorofchange.org.

If you are coming from New Orleans and can either offer a ride, or if you need a ride, email asiancajunandy@gmail.com.
If you are coming from Houston, and want to join a caravan coming from there, call Bro. Garnet at 832.258.2480.

To ask specific questions, or to keep updated, please email: jena6defense@gmail.com.



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