Jena, La., braces for civil rights rally
The small Louisiana town of Jena is bracing for a major civil rights demonstration over the treatment of six black students.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected at Thursday’s rally over the issue of racial bias in the prosecution of the students, accused of beating a white classmate last fall, The New York Times said Wednesday.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton are among those expected to attend.
The situation started last September when a black student decided to defy tradition by sitting under the school’s so-called White Tree, the newspaper said. The next day three nooses appeared in the tree, and a short time later, a white student was allegedly beaten by six black students.
The six black students were charged with attempted murder, rather than assault.
The newspaper said local civil rights groups see the case as a throwback to Deep South race relations of the last century. Prosecutors have reduced some of the charges against the teens, and the only conviction gained so far was thrown out lasts week by an appeals court. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
Comments