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Last September, at a high school in Jena, Louisiana, a black student asked if he could be allowed to sit underneath the big leafy tree in the school's hot courtyard. Previously, only white students were allowed to sit there. The next day, three nooses hung from the tree. All the black students were outraged and sat under the tree together. Soon, the local police and district attorney showed up. "I could end your lives with the stroke of a pen" said the district attorney to the mass of students.

In Jena, 85% of the population is white. The blacks were scared. Tensions continued to rise for the next few months. A black student was beaten up at a white party. Two black students were threatened with a sawed-off shotgun in a convenience store.

Finally, on December 4, 2006, the tensions rose to a boiling point. A fight broke out at school and a white boy was injured and taken to the hospital. He was released later that day and was smiling with his friends before the sun set. Six black students who participated in the fight were charged... with attempted murder. No one came even close to dying that day.

At one time, these six young boys and futures, hope, now they face up to 100 years in prison. One boy has already been tried, by an all-white jury. He was convicted of aggravated assault. In Louisiana, for aggravated assault to occur, a deadly weapon must have been used. In this case? The weapon was a pair of tennis shoes. The boy faces sentencing on July 31, he could serve up to 22 years in prison. The other five boys still face second-degree murder charges and 100 year sentences.

The district attorney claims he could end their lives with the stroke of a pen; and he can. But someone can stop him. Louisiana governor, Gov. Kathleen Blanco has a mightier pen. She has the power to save these boy's lives. And we have the power to convince her to do so.

Post your first and last name on the wall and I will add your name to the petition I will be sending Gov. Blanco. We must show her that we will not allow this kind of injustice to go unnoticed. We read about this kind of thing in our history books, but it's not just history anymore. Our grandparents fought this fight, but it's not over. We must continue to fight it for them.


UPDATE -- On September 4, 2007, charges on two of the six were dropped from attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, to aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy. The two now face up to 22 1/2 years in jail - still far too much for a three hour hospital stay.

A third awaits his sentencing hearing on September 20 for his convicion of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy.

The other three still face attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, giving them a possible 80 year jail sentence.
Free the Jena 6