Houston Millions More Movement Minister of Justice Deric Muhammad (c) stands with five of the Jena 6 after the townhall meeting. (l-r): Theo Shaw, Robert Bailey Jr., Jesse Beard, Carwin Jones and Bryant Purvis.
JENA, La. (FinalCall.com) - On Aug. 14, Reverend Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III hosted a community town hall meeting at Antioch Baptist Church to address the unjust charges made against the six young Black males known as the “Jena 6.”
Former Jena High School football star Mychal Bell, the first to be convicted received an inspirational visit earlier that day from the two national leaders along with Houston Millions More Movement Minister of Justice Deric Muhammad at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse Jail.
“Whether you know it or not, you are making history so keep your head [up],” stated Min. Muhammad to Mychal as they embraced one another. “The only time you should drop your head is to pray. We won’t stop until those shackles are removed from your hands and feet. I know it gets discouraging and that you may want to do the normal things that teenagers do but God did not choose you to be normal.”
Martin Luther King III said to Bell, “You are a fine young man and I intend to keep pushing until justice is served.” He also shared words from his legendary father who said that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.”
“I told you I would be back didn’t I?” said Rev. Sharpton to the young man. Sharpton previously visited the 17-year-old on Aug. 5 before speaking to a packed audience at Trout Creek Baptist Church during their service.
“My son really appreciated them coming to see him and he is grateful for everything that everyone is doing,” stated Bell’s father Marcus Jones to The Final Call. Others at the private meeting included Bell’s mother Melissa Bell, lead attorney Lewis Scott and local community pastors. Mychal’s spirits seemed lifted and he thanked everyone for their support.
Reverend Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III speak during the Jena 6 townhall meeting held Aug. 14 at Antioch Baptist Church in Jena, La. Photos: Jesse Muhammad
Bell was tried and convicted by an all-White jury on aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy to commit the same crime. He awaits a Sept. 20 sentencing hearing. Trial dates for the other five students—Robert Bailey Jr., Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw and Jesse Beard—are still pending. The Black youth face second-degree attempted murder and conspiracy charges following a December 2006 fight at Jena High School that landed a White student, Justin Barker, in the hospital. Mr. Barker, who suffered a minor concussion, was released from the hospital the same day and reportedly later attended a school event.
Jena 6 Townhall Meeting
A crowded congregation of predominately Blacks, jammed Antioch Baptist Church for the town hall meeting hosted by Rev. Sharpton and Mr. King. The five members of the Jena 6 that have not been convicted were in attendance ans seated on the front row, however they made no statements. Instead, the national leaders delivered brief speeches, the attorneys spoke on the facts of the case to dispel rumors and Jena residents were given the opportunity to voice their opinions, ask questions and make suggestions on how the cases should be handled.
Rev. Sharpton chided locals who have not stood for the Jena 6. “If you scared, say you scared!”. His message to others was that “it’s easy to keep Sharpton out of Jena—just give justice to the Jena Six.”
“I’m saddened to have to come to Jena in 2007. We still have struggles to fight,” expressed Mr. King. “I came to primarily listen and learn from the community.” He also made a public commitment to continue making visits to Jena until justice is served for all six young men.
Min. Muhammad, along with the many in attendance, went to embrace and give encouraging words to Robert, Carwin, Bryant, Theo and Jesse at the conclusion of the dialogue.
The townhall meeting was the latest in a string of demonstrations and meetings that have taken place in the call for justice for the Jena Six. A month ago, the Department of Justice and the FBI hosted a forum at Jena High School, but the outcome was not in favor of the young men.
“They [the Justice Department and the FBI] justified everything that the District Attorney has been done to my son and the other boys,” stated Mr. Jones to The Final Call. “They are standing behind this injustice but we will not stop fighting. It’s hard to keep hope but I am continuing to pray.” Mr. Jones also stated that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco has refused to intervene in the case.
He and several of the parents have done countless radio, print, television, and online interviews to keep attention on the case and solicit the help of everyone. Mr. Jones was recently interviewed on the WVON radio’s Roland S. Martin Show and BlackAmericaWeb.com. The Houston MMM Local Organizing Committee has also arranged for Mr. Jones, Melissa Bell and Tina Jones to speak at the National Judicial Reform Conference on the campus of Rice University in Houston. On site, the parents were interviewed by the FOX 26 news station for an exclusive analysis of the case.
(For those interested in joining the September 20th protest for Mychal Bell, please log onto www.mmmhouston.net or visit www.colorofchange.org for more information.)
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