Jena Six Rally

The Jena Six rally was a September, 2007, event in Jena, Louisiana, held to protest charges of attempted second degree murder leveled at members of the "Jena Six", a group of black high school students allegedly involved in an attack on a white classmate in December, 2006.

Fast Facts

1. Date: September 20, 2007
2. Figures at rally: Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Ice Cube
3. Attendance at rally: 15,000 to 20,000¹
4. Other smaller rallies held across country

The Jena Six

1. Mychal Bell
2. Bryant Purvis
3. Robert Bailey, Jr.
4. Carwin Jones
5. Theo Shaw
6. Jesse Rae Beard

Background

The alleged "Jena Six" attack on white classmate Justin Barker occurred at the close of a fall term at Jena High School that was filled with racial tension. In September, three white students were suspended for hanging nooses from a tree on campus, supposedly in an effort to prevent black students from congregating under the popular meeting place. In November, the school was set on fire for unknown reasons, and throughout the term, fights occurred between white and black students.

Significance

Organizers of the Jena Six rally meant to highlight the disparity in the American justice system between the treatment of whites and African-Americans. Many at the rally believed that the initial attack on Justin Barker was closer to a school fight and not the sort of assault that would warrant charges of attempted second degree murder.² The rally attracted between 15,000 and 20,000 marchers, who overwhelmed the small rural town of 3,000.¹ National media outlets covered the rally, and civil rights leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton attended.

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