A state appeals court threw out the only remaining conviction against Mychal Bell, one of the Black 
teenagers accused in the beating of a white schoolmate in the racially tense Louisiana town of Jena.
This is fantastic news for the Jena 6. The young man was 16 at the time of the school fight. He and four others were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder. Mychal Bell has been in court for a long time. He is still subject to charges that have been filed against him as a juvenile. In fact, all six teenagers are facing charges. As such, I anticipate that the massive protest scheduled to take place in Jena will go on as planned on September 20.
Jena politicians feel the pressure of the world bearing down on them. Our American tragedy is slowly moving in the right direction.
Villagers, any thoughts on this appeals court ruling?
teenagers accused in the beating of a white schoolmate in the racially tense Louisiana town of Jena.This is fantastic news for the Jena 6. The young man was 16 at the time of the school fight. He and four others were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder. Mychal Bell has been in court for a long time. He is still subject to charges that have been filed against him as a juvenile. In fact, all six teenagers are facing charges. As such, I anticipate that the massive protest scheduled to take place in Jena will go on as planned on September 20.
Jena politicians feel the pressure of the world bearing down on them. Our American tragedy is slowly moving in the right direction.
Villagers, any thoughts on this appeals court ruling?
I will wear black on the 20th.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Amen!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news.
ReplyDeleteHello Villager,
ReplyDeleteWe're still going to converge on Jena Louisiana as planned because all 6 of these "children" still face trials in juvenile courts. By the grace of God, Mychal Bell can lead our march on September 20.
Celebrate for now but pleas know it ain't over because when one of us is hurting, we are all hurting. Injustice anywhere is still a threat to Justice everywhere.
As you know, we, as critically thinking activists and socially conscious agents of Change, refuse to go back to the way it was. "Hate "is one "fear-based" tradition that doesn't deserve to be conserved by the "good ole boys" or the sleep walking status quo.
Manchild
It's a nice victory but doesn't mean much since all of them still face charges in juvenile courts.
ReplyDeleteJust curious, who here thinks all six should have all charges lifted and shouldn't be charged with anything else concerning the Dec. 2006 incident?
Manchild - No doubt that the Sept 20 protest in Jena and around the world should continue as we still have grievances in the way that this was handled by the Jena criminal justice system. However, it will be nice to see young Mychal released from jail after sitting there for 9-10 months. And he was facing 22 years in prison before the pressure was applied. The movement is going in our direction ...but, you are correct ... we cannot stop the pressure.
ReplyDeletepeace, Villager
Woozie - First, my thanks for taking time to visit the Electronic Village! As for your question ... I think that all charges should be dropped and that the discipline should be administered by the school (whatever penalty is for fighting) as opposed to the criminal justice system.
ReplyDeletepeace, Villager
I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating small victories. It keeps morale up. It makes people more optimistic and hopeful. Each minor victory may also draw more people to the fight because they have proof that victories can be obtained. I think that in light of this people should keep up their efforts and increase them and feel happy that atleast some good has been done. Even if the rest of the fight does not go the way we want, this victory will still stand.
ReplyDeleteThis is very good news.
ReplyDeleteBronze Trinity & Hotnikz - Amen!
ReplyDeleteVillager, Texas will be wearing black. Fort Worth, Texas was nicknamed Panther City back in the 1800s. On Sept. 20, we will be Black Panther City.
ReplyDeleteEddie - I agree with your earlier thought that we need to be thinking about what to do after Sept 20.
ReplyDeletepeace, Villager