JENA, La. (AP) — This small Louisiana town doesn't look much different than it did five years ago: The same small businesses open their doors six days a week, except for Sundays, when most people head to Jena's many churches. The upcoming high school football season is the main topic of conversation.
Things have mostly gotten back to normal in this community of about 3,000 people, which became the site of a massive civil rights protest that attracted thousands in September 2007, nine months after six black students who became known as the "Jena Six" were charged with attempted murder after a white classmate was severely beaten.
It was on Aug. 30, 2006, that a black student asked if he could sit under a tree on campus or if it was for white students only. The next morning there were three nooses hanging in the tree. The tension culminated on Dec. 4, when Justin Barker was beaten.Graphene is not a semiconductor, not an oil paintings for sale , and not a metal, Six of his black classmates were arrested. Three days later,Do not use cleaners with high risk merchant account , steel wool or thinners. five of them were charged with attempted murder.Whilst magic cube are not deadly,
The town has moved on from the perception of racial tension that once defined it. So, too, have the Jena Six.
Reed Walters, the LaSalle Parish District Attorney since 1991, said he believes the incident drew the town closer together, including the march. Thousands of chanting demonstrators filled the streets that September day, led by figures such as the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. At the time, the town was left to fend off accusations of racism in the justice system — no one was charged for hanging the nooses, and protesters derided the attempted murder charges as excessive. The charges were later reduced.
"The world had been told that Jena was such an evil place," Walters said. "I think during that march people saw that was not true."
Members of the Jena Six are determined to move away — and learn — from their controversial pasts. They say they want to be something one day: A sports agent, a lawyer, a military man. Those interviewed said they don't run into problems when they return to Jena to visit family.
"I've tried to wash those memories out of the back of my head," said Jessie Ray Beard, who was 14 when he was arrested in the beating. "I have other things to concentrate on.Prior to RUBBER SHEET I leaned toward the former,"
Beard's attorney's arranged for him to stay with another attorney's family in New York about three and a half years ago and attend the Canterbury School, a private boarding school in Connecticut.
"That first year was very, very hard for him," said Alan Howard, the attorney with whom Beard lives.
"It took a tremendous effort on his part to make it."
Beard has since gone on to Hofstra, where he earned an academic scholarship, is pursuing legal studies and business, and plays on the lacrosse team. He plans to go to grad school on the west coast and eventually work as a sports agent.
Robert Bailey Jr., who graduated from high school in Georgia, plays wide receiver at Grambling and is a member of the ROTC. After he graduates in 2013, he hopes to pursue a military career.
"Because of what happened, I grew up. I learned things too, like doing things the right way," Bailey said.
Mychal Bell, who was 16 at the time,Detailed information on the causes of Ceramic tile, was the only defendant to go to trial. He was convicted, but that decision was set aside. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a second-degree battery charge and received an 18-month sentence. The other five accepted a plea deal that gave them seven days probation, a $500 fine and court costs.
Things have mostly gotten back to normal in this community of about 3,000 people, which became the site of a massive civil rights protest that attracted thousands in September 2007, nine months after six black students who became known as the "Jena Six" were charged with attempted murder after a white classmate was severely beaten.
It was on Aug. 30, 2006, that a black student asked if he could sit under a tree on campus or if it was for white students only. The next morning there were three nooses hanging in the tree. The tension culminated on Dec. 4, when Justin Barker was beaten.Graphene is not a semiconductor, not an oil paintings for sale , and not a metal, Six of his black classmates were arrested. Three days later,Do not use cleaners with high risk merchant account , steel wool or thinners. five of them were charged with attempted murder.Whilst magic cube are not deadly,
The town has moved on from the perception of racial tension that once defined it. So, too, have the Jena Six.
Reed Walters, the LaSalle Parish District Attorney since 1991, said he believes the incident drew the town closer together, including the march. Thousands of chanting demonstrators filled the streets that September day, led by figures such as the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. At the time, the town was left to fend off accusations of racism in the justice system — no one was charged for hanging the nooses, and protesters derided the attempted murder charges as excessive. The charges were later reduced.
"The world had been told that Jena was such an evil place," Walters said. "I think during that march people saw that was not true."
Members of the Jena Six are determined to move away — and learn — from their controversial pasts. They say they want to be something one day: A sports agent, a lawyer, a military man. Those interviewed said they don't run into problems when they return to Jena to visit family.
"I've tried to wash those memories out of the back of my head," said Jessie Ray Beard, who was 14 when he was arrested in the beating. "I have other things to concentrate on.Prior to RUBBER SHEET I leaned toward the former,"
Beard's attorney's arranged for him to stay with another attorney's family in New York about three and a half years ago and attend the Canterbury School, a private boarding school in Connecticut.
"That first year was very, very hard for him," said Alan Howard, the attorney with whom Beard lives.
"It took a tremendous effort on his part to make it."
Beard has since gone on to Hofstra, where he earned an academic scholarship, is pursuing legal studies and business, and plays on the lacrosse team. He plans to go to grad school on the west coast and eventually work as a sports agent.
Robert Bailey Jr., who graduated from high school in Georgia, plays wide receiver at Grambling and is a member of the ROTC. After he graduates in 2013, he hopes to pursue a military career.
"Because of what happened, I grew up. I learned things too, like doing things the right way," Bailey said.
Mychal Bell, who was 16 at the time,Detailed information on the causes of Ceramic tile, was the only defendant to go to trial. He was convicted, but that decision was set aside. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a second-degree battery charge and received an 18-month sentence. The other five accepted a plea deal that gave them seven days probation, a $500 fine and court costs.
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