Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation. Coretta Scott King

I am posting this call to action for any of you who are interested in social justice activism:

Young people in Jena, Louisiana need us to bring more attention to their plight. Last year, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the designated white tree on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent wrote off the nooses as a prank, more Black students sat under the tree to protest. As a result, The District Attorney and the police demanded that the students end their protest, stating: I can be your best friend or your worst enemy… I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen.

A series of racially motivated violent incidents followed, and the DA took no action. Later, when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA rapidly responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

The Associated Press reported today that Mychal Bell, one of the Jena Six, will soon be released from jail. This victory came because of the worldwide attention this tragic situation has received as a result of grassroots organizing. This is promising news, however there are still five students facing charges.

We cannot turn back the clock and ignore Jim Crow throwbacks and blatant racist attacks. We cannot let young kids be made an example of in the name of racism. Five students are slated to spend the rest of their lives in prison if we do not stand up.

Take action and help pressure Louisianas legislators and the media by showing them that the world is watching. Tell ten friends. This case was getting minimal press until recently and we need to spread the world and keep the momentum going! Take action today!

Learn more: Check out this video

If you are interested in this case, you might also be interested in the following events coming up in New York City:

September 24th, 2007 8:00 pm, St. Marks Church
The Poetry Project: Hettie Jones and Loan Larkin
www.poetryproject.com

September 27, 2007
6:30 - 8:30pm, NYU Bobst Library
Letters from Mississippi: 
Reports from Civil Rights Volunteers 
Poetry of the 1964 Freedom Summer

Edited and with a preface by Elizabeth Martinez and an introduction by Julian Bond. Readings by Freedom Summer Volunteers