Free the Jena Six!
Recently, the city of Jena, Louisiana displayed racism that is heinous and unethical. A black student asked the white principal of Jena High School if he could sit under the "white tree", a tree that is reserved for whites only. The principal responded that he could sit anywhere he wanted.
When the student showed up, there were three traps hanging from the branches of the "white tree". Scuffles at school started, as racial tensions only grew worse.
Robert Bailey, a black teenager, spotted one of his attackers at a local gas station, only to find out he had him at gun-point. Bailey wrestled the gun away and reported it to police. The police charged Bailey with stealing the gun.
Now, six black teenagers could face years in prison. Mychal Bell was charged with charges of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit it, although no one had serious injuries. He was convicted in July by an all-white jury. Like his co-defendants, Bailey, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theodore Shaw and Jesse Beard -- Bell had no prior criminal record.
This is an obvious act of racism. This is something I would not condone. Please sign the petition to free the six teenagers whose only crime was sitting on a tree.
We the undersigned wish for you to sign this petition. The jailing of six black youth, all victims of a racist judicial system in Jena, La. is a tragedy and a disgrace. When black students started to sit under the tree, fights broke out. The students were convicted of battery, assault, and attempted murder, although no one had serious injuries.
One student, Robert Bailey, saw a white student point a gun to him. He wrestled the gun away from him and reported it to the police. The police charged him with theft of the gun.
These children will not have a good shot at a successful future if they have a criminal record. A record when their only crime was sitting under a tree and eventually becoming the victim of racism.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
