Reach Out
On September 20th, 2007, tens of thousands of Americans held vigils in solidarity with the Jena 6. Were you one of them? This page is a place to share your experiences of standing up for fairness in the criminal justice system.
At the Boston rally, we held “Reach Out” sessions where attendees shared about three questions. We asked folks to visit this site later, and tell us about these conversations.
Please post your reflections on the vigil below: Who did you meet? What did the vigil mean to you? Where do you think our movement should go from here? What are your hopes for the future? All are welcome to post, just keep the tone constructive and avoid abusive language. (This particular page is for folks concerned about injustice in the criminal justice system–if you are critical of our movement, please redirect your comments to one of our other pages.)
You can sign up for Action Updates at the link to your lower right!
Here are the three questions we discussed in Boston:
- How did you find out about Jena, and what was it that moved you to take action? What is it in your past that made you respond this way? (Personal experiences, family and religious background, other values?)
- Why do you think the local police and prosecutors were so slow to defend the black youth of Jena from threats and violence, but so quick to crack down on them when they protested the nooses and got into fights?
- Is this just a local pattern or does our whole nation have this problem? What do you think we need to change in America to stop this from happening?
Thank you for being a Friend of Justice.
Blessings,
Lydia Bean
Friends of Justice
Ms. Gail T. said,
September 20, 2007 at 3:19 pm
This is ridiculous. African Americans continue to face racism and hate crimes on a daily basis. Supposedly, those who commit hate crimes are to receive criminal charges. What happened with these whites? It does not matter if it is a prank or not, a hate crime is a hate crime. Also, the principal banned the “Free the Jena 6″ t-shirts because it was offensive. Is not the hanging of the nooses on the tree also offensive? It is NOT ok to treat African Americans unfairly, and we need to step up and demand the respect we worked so hard for and DESERVE!!
Solidarity vigils across the US « Friends of Justice said,
September 21, 2007 at 1:22 pm
[...] me share some news about the solidarity vigils in other parts of the country. If you go to the “Reach Out” page on our website and post your reflections on your local vigil, I’ll compile them and post them [...]
Mrs. K.Tate said,
September 21, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I have tried to listen to the radio, and on-line information regarding the Jena 6, case with the entire situation being very upsetting. No matter how much we dare to say things have gotten better than what they were. We are constantly proven wrong by what we wish. We have too many of our young black youth being trapped within in the system right now today that were wronged by the justice system. I pray that these young men of color are all released and home with their families. However, continuing to stand and fight for their rights. Because their freedom today can result in the freedom of others that had been wrongfully charged throughout the justice system which should stand for all no matter the color.
Jessica Timpson said,
September 21, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I think this is a problem in America. I also feel that this is totally unfair for the black kids to have to go to jail when they were just protecting them selves. Our country is suppose to be the home of the free but i really don’t see how. The prinicpal should resign from his postion because he handled the whole thing wrong. If they want us kids to be the future how can we do that when we can’t stand up for something we know is wrong. I hope the jury and the judge have a heart because this is unfair and no one black, white, or mexican doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. I found out about the Jena 6 through MYSPACE we as young adults need to stand up and fight for whats right and wrong and this whole thing is just wrong. Us as bjlacks really need to stand up and take charge of this mess.
Dana said,
September 21, 2007 at 6:37 pm
My husband and I went to a rally last night in Philadelphia and marched along with people of all races in protests of the inhumane treatment of the brothers of the Jena Six.There were several prostests all over Philly.In colleges,high schools,jr. high schools,and other adult organizations.I think the local news media had a hard time keeping up with all of the protests.
I hope the nation recognizes that we(African-Americas) are not asleep.We see what is going on and you can’t fool us no matter how you try to twists things around.A black student gets beaten by several white kids,they don’t get arrested.A gun pulled on black kids and they arrest the black for taking the gun out of the whites kids hand.And the nooses! This is 2007 people! Unacceptable and I find any person who gives some lame reason,or denies that was wrong highly questionable,and untrustworthy.
We as African Americans need to regain our identy and make our ancestors proud.
*wildcard* said,
September 22, 2007 at 11:53 am
I am the granddaughter of NAACP president and vice president Robert Lester Everett Jr. president of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employess, founder and president of NNOCD, political advisor for AARP#2534. US Army engineer.
daughter of Federal Director of a legal firm and NAACP officer.
The state of VA was not aware to the very last minute and it was only a very few. the event was to have been on television, guess what, SO NOT!!!! i wore all black with a splash of blue, and steel toe boots.
i am wondering how envoled in the upcoming presidential election is this organization? I am airforce born, navy recruited, army affiliated.
GOT YOUR BOOTS READY??????
quita said,
September 22, 2007 at 5:35 pm
this is crazy african americans have been through so much and this has gone too far this needs to stop we were entilted the right to be free and to recieve equal treatment if them black boys have to be locked up even though i believe they dont deserve to then so should them white boys they were wrong to hang them nooses on them trees who are them to threaten someones life thats basically like holdin a gun to someones head a threat is a threat and i dont care which way you slice the cake they werent joking when they hung them nooses up they knew what they were doing and they meant it you do everything for a reason where was the district attornie when that happened? where was the district attornie when them black boys reported it? just like them white kids got a slap on the black them black boys should get a slap on the back enough is enough and i think them district attornies is just as much racist as them white boys because if the shoe was on the other foot do you honestly think them white boys would be in jail right now
Concetta Pampinella said,
September 23, 2007 at 12:53 am
This case is wrong on so many counts, beyond the fact that we are still debating equality amongst human beings, the adults in authority handled the situation in a manner that provoked further incidents- If the original punishment of expulsion would have been upheld, perhaps it would have ended there, with the black students feeling empowered and accomplished for having stood up to and changing an archaic practice of a “Whites Only” area, and the white students perhaps realizing that hatered based on skin color is ignorance in it’s purest fashion- How sad that the opportunities for learning were dismissed, as it were, by the stroke of the DA’s pen-
I would hope that every parent would look at this case and see their own child, not 6 young black men,but their child who in frustration and lackof age wisdom did something foolish, wouuld you then believe the sentencing and bail fair? Chances are you would find reasons for mercy, for compassion, for dialogue-
I personally do not condone violence, but it isn’t hard to see how a group who feels they have no voice, and who are relegated to second class by virtue of race might feel that this is the only way to be heard- This entire incident should be placed on the backs of the Jena school board, the Chief of police and the district attorney, they failed the town of Jena and they should be held accountable- The youths involved, both black and white should be dealt with fairly and equally, perhaps working together to perform community service, or mandatory conflict resolution/anger management classes, something that would reach them on a positive level, something I’m pretty sure prison will not do-
C. M. Pampinella
Laura said,
October 7, 2007 at 3:41 am
In my opinion it is about time that someone draws attention to the injustice that takes place in our country - blacks and whites are certainly treated differently and the range is extensive. I live in a small rural community and there are very few blacks - recently my niece was suspended from school for fighting with a fellow classmate that called her a nig***. The white child was not suspended or reprmanded in anyway. I would have been all over that school board but her mother sits back and doesn’t want to draw more attention to her child! This is the problem - for too long people have remained still about the injustice. I wish that I could be in Jena to show my support for the families of the Jena 6 - I do not condone the violence ( in any form) however I do know that if the tables were turned and the Jena 6 were white students - this would not be happenening - let’s face it - whites have never been punished so severely for the abuse that they have inflicted on African American!!! Not now and not centuries ago!!!
And not that it matters, but before the question arises - I am a Caucasion female! This is not just an injustice to African Americans - it is an injustice to anyone that believes in equal liberties for ALL people!!! It is sad that my children must grow up in a world that is so unjust!!
Laura in WV
Laura said,
October 7, 2007 at 3:43 am
In addition, why not bring these children together to teach them about fairness and equality rather than what is going on - teaching them hate and prejudice!???
*wildcard* lacocodin said,
October 12, 2007 at 11:34 am
Where are the powerful democrates that see the beauty of Hilliary Clinton and President and Obama as Vice-President
This is a win win
la tierra es nuestras la tierra es nuestras