England's Guardian newspaper title their story: Racism goes on trial again in America's Deep South.
The world takes notice of America's contradictory legal policies against its own citizens.
::June 26, 2007 - The district attorney prosecuting a racially charged beating case in the small Louisiana town of Jena abruptly reduced attempted-murder charges Monday against a black high school student accused of attacking a white student." - Chicago Tribune
::September 15, 2007 - "With the prospect of a major national civil rights protest looming next week in the central Louisiana town of Jena, a state appeals court on Friday abruptly vacated the felony conviction of a black teenager accused of beating a white student in a case fraught with racial tensions." - Chicago Tribune
In a small, highly segregated, rural Louisiana town of Jena in September 2006, a small group of black students asked permission from school administrators to sit under the shade of a tree commonly reserved for the enjoyment of white students. School officials advised the black students to sit wherever they wanted - and they did.
The next day, three nooses, in the school colors, were hangingfrom the same tree. The Jena high school principal found that three whitestudents were responsible and recommended expulsion. The white superintendent of schools over-ruled the principal and gave the students a three day suspension, saying that the nooses were "a youthful stunt."
Black students decided to resist and organized a sit-in under the tree to protest the lenient treatment given to the noose-hanging white students. Racial tensions remained elevated throughout the fall. On Monday, December 4 2006, a white student who allegedly had been racially taunting black students, in support of the students who hung the nooses, got into a fight with black students. Allegedly knocked unconscious, the white student was taken to the hospital treated, released, and reportedly attended a social function later that evening.
As a result of this incident, six black Jena students were arrested andcharged with attempted second degree murder. All six were expelled from school. The six charged were:
As a result of this incident, six black Jena students were arrested andcharged with attempted second degree murder. All six were expelled from school. The six charged were:
On the morning of the trial, the District Attorney reduced the charges from attempted second degree murder to second degree aggravated battery andconspiracy. Aggravated battery in Louisiana law demands the attack be with adangerous weapon. The prosecutor was allowed to argue to the jury that the tennis shoes worn by Bell could be considered a dangerous weapon.
America? The world is watching.
America? The world is watching.
American University professor, Richard Stack, will speak to this topic, as well as introduce his latest book, Dead Wrong: Violence, Vengeance & the Victims of Capital Punishment. Copies will be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your perspective on crime and punishment. Light refreshments to be served.
Location: The Culture Shop (1/2 block from Takoma Metro Station)
Address: 341 Cedar Street, NW
Date: September 29, 2007; 6pm-8pm
Telephone: 202 726 2211 RSVP:
Required. Space is limited.
