Nooses on a "Whites Only" Tree in Jena, Louisiana

Nooses Hang on a "Whites Only" Tree in Jena, Louisiana - Black Students Challenge Systemic Racism and Face Years in Prison

Cal Students Stand in Solidarity with Victims of Jim Crow Justice in Louisiana Demand: FREE THE JENA 6!

Students at UC- Berkeley, local High School students, along with members of the community, will hold a rally on Thursday, September 20th on campus, to demand that charges be dropped in the case of the Jena 6. The case involves High School students from Jena, Louisiana, who courageously confronted and stood up to deeply rooted racism in the form of a "Whites Only" tree on their campus. After standing under the tree (which they felt the need to ask permission of administration for!), they returned the next day to find nooses hanging from the tree. A number of racially tense altercations occurred. White students attacked Blacks, and some Black students retaliated against Whites, the majority of instances being initiated by the White students. The State District attorney threatened the Black students at a school-wide assembly, telling them he could take away their lives "with the stroke of a pen".

Six Black students were charged with attempted murder, while the White students involved in the physical attacks on the Black students were given only minor charges and released on probation. While the murder charges have been dropped, aggravated assault charges hold the potential to land these students in prison for many years, Michael Bell is still in jail, and Jim Crow justice still rules. The rally will be held as resistance to this blatant systemic racism.

THE UC-Berkeley Rally:

WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20: National Day of Action for Jena 6!
12-1PM - Speak-Out
1-2PM - March Around Campus
LOCATION: Upper Sproul Plaza

This case is not an isolated event, but rather an expression of deep racism that persists throughout U.S. society. It has unleashed a national outpouring of outrage and support for these students in their fight against Jim Crow justice. While students on campuses nationwide gather on Thursday in solidarity, thousands will converge on Jena, Louisiana to demand all charges are dropped. Notable speakers in Jena will be Al Sharpton and Hip Hop artist Mos Def.

Dennis Parker, the ACLU's Director of a Racial Justice Program stated, "given the facts as reported, the Jena Six case raises serious questions about a possible double standard for whites and blacks in the criminal justice system—and in our schools. Unfortunately, this kind of problem is not exclusive to Jena, Louisiana." He goes on to say, "Possible differences in treatment between students of different races, the apparent overcharging of students by law enforcement and questions about the possibility of discrimination generally in the school are emblematic of the "school-to-prison pipeline" cases that we are seeing nationwide."

Rally organized by students and supported by Revolution Books.

For more information on the case:

www.jenasix.org
www.revcom.us

ENDS

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