JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE OF JENA

THE ACTION WE NEED YOU TO TAKE:

All individuals are encouraged to take action and come together to achieve racial healing and unbiased justice for the Jena 6.

THE FACTS:

In a small highly segregated rural Louisiana town of Jena in September 2006, a black student 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 hanging from the same tree. The Jena high school principal found that three white students 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, the white student was taken to the hospital treated, released, reportedly attended a social function later that evening.

As a result of this incident, six black Jena students were arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder. All six were expelled from school. The six charged were: 17-year-old Robert Bailey Junior whose bail was set at $138,000; 17-year-old Theo Shaw - bail $130,000; 18-year-old Carwin Jones--bail $100,000; 17-year-old Bryant Purvis--bail $70,000; 16 year old Mychal Bell, a sophomore in high school who was charged as an adult and for whom bail was set at $90,000; and a still unidentified minor.

On the morning of the trial, the District Attorney reduced the charges from attempted second degree murder to second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy. Aggravated battery in Louisiana law demands the attack be with a dangerous weapon. The prosecutor was allowed to argue to the jury that the tennis shoes worn by Bell could be considered a dangerous weapon.

When the pool of potential jurors was summoned, fifty people appeared, all white. The jury deliberated for less than three hours and found Mychal Bell guilty on the maximum possible charges of aggravated second degree battery and conspiracy. He originally faced a maximum of 22 years in prison.

On September 4, 2007, the District Court granted Bell's Motion in Arrest of Judgment as to the Conspiracy charge. On September 14, 2007, the Third Circuit Court of Appeal in Louisiana vacated Mychal Bell’s conviction for aggravated battery.  On September 27, 2007, the District Attorney announced that he would not appeal the higher court’s decision to transfer Bell’s case to the Juvenile Court.  Subsequently, Michael Bell was released under a $45,000 bond after serving over nine months in jail.  He was the last member of the Jena 6 to be released from jail.  Mychal Bell will be tried in Juvenile Court and faces a potential sentence of imprisonment until he reaches the age of twenty-one.

The rest of the Jena 6 await trials as well.  Theodore Shaw and Carwin Jones are scheduled for trial on January 28, 2008.

THE MESSAGE:

  • As Chairman Julian Bond stated, "This is an American outrage that demonstrates the continuing shame of racial division in our country. Join us in making it one of the last."
  • In light of the circumstances surrounding Mychal Bell's case, we urge all concerned citizens 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, Louisiana.
  • 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 NAACP calls on Louisiana Governor Kathleen B. Blanco and Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. 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.
  • NAACP Press Release
  • NY NAACP Press Release

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT MATTER!!!
 If you have any questions, call Angela Ciccolo at the National Headquarters at (888) 362-8683.

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