Rally For the Jena Six

From the Advocate in Baton Rouge, La.:

JENA, La. (AP)...Tens of thousands of protesters stormed this tiny Louisiana town on Thursday, rallying against what they see as a double standard of justice for blacks and whites.
....

The plight of the so-called Jena Six, a group of black teens initially charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate, became a flashpoint for one of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in years.
....

"It's been a very peaceful and happy crowd," said Sgt. Julie Lewis of the Louisiana State Police. "Really these are very, very nice people. They are welcome in Louisiana any time."

Demonstrators even bagged trash throughout the day, leaving little for officials to clean up after the demonstration.

Jena residents, resentful of the massive protest in their little town and the racist label it had stamped them with, were scarce during the day's demonstrations. Businesses closed, so did the library, schools, city offices and the courthouse.

"I don't mind them demonstrating," said Ricky Coleman, 46, a native. "I believe in people standing up for what they think is right. But this isn't a racist town. It's a small place and we all get along."
....

Mychal Bell, now 17, is the only one of the defendants to be tried. He was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery, but his conviction was tossed last week by a state appeals court that said Bell, who was 16 at the time of the beating, could not be tried as an adult on that charge.
....

During the protest in Jena, the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles ordered a bond hearing for Bell within 72 hours, defense attorney Bob Noel of Monroe said.

If 9th Judicial District Judge Tom Yeager decides 28th District Judge J.P. Mauffray should not preside over Bell's bond hearing, Yeager would hear it.

My husband and I were wondering why Mychal was still in jail with such a high bond - $90,000, I believe - when his conviction has been overthrown. Justice has not been served in this case.

Thank God that the demonstration went off peacefully, but there's this ugly after story from the Advocate:

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) -- Police in this central Louisiana city said a man was arrested late Thursday night when officers found two hangman's nooses dangling from the rear of his pickup truck.

The driver was identified as Jeremiah Munsen of Colfax, La. Police said Munsen, who is white, was charged with inciting a riot.

Good. I'm glad he was arrested. Some folks just can't let it go.