JENA, La. (FinalCall.com) - School is back in session, but the national spotlight continues to shine on the small town of Jena surrounding the unjust charges placed on the six young Black males known as the “Jena 6” for a school fight that took place December of last year at Jena High School. Mychal Bell, the first to be convicted, is preparing for his September 20 sentencing date, and the Millions More Movement (MMM) and a host of organizations are not letting him and his family face it alone. A motion hearing scheduled for Sept. 4, called by Mychal’s lawyer, requested that the charges be thrown out.

Millions More Movement Local Organizing Committees (MMM-LOCs) in Texas and Louisiana have been working consistently to keep the attention on the case via internet, radio, television and print media in support of the families. Through their efforts, the families have been interviewed on several local and national shows which has increased the awareness. The Houston LOC is working to bring several chartered buses filled with people who will protest on the steps of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse.

“We plan to bring an entire city to the city of Jena on September 20,” stated Houston MMM Minister of Justice Deric Muhammad. The Ministry of Justice has been receiving numerous emails and phones calls from across the country with people expressing their support and backing of the upcoming Jena 6 rally.

“I am planning to be there because I am tired of our people facing the same old injustices year after year,” stated Cortland Imeokparia, who will be a part of a delegation driving from Baltimore. “It’s horrible that our young brother has been in prison this long. We cannot sit by, watch this and do nothing. We have to fight.”

Stacy Lewis is an administrative coordinator at Delgado Community College and she is heading a bus from the campus in New Orleans.

“Yes, we will be there! As survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the injustices that we have faced afterwards in New Orleans, we will be there to stand in solidarity for our brothers who are facing a biased, dual justice system,” she said.

Students at Jackson State University have expressed their desire to be in attendance at the march. “Me and a lot of the students on campus are concerned about the issue in Jena and will want to march in support of them,” stated Jamita Elmore, who is helping to lead the delegation of college students.

“What I want to know is how can the Jena court system get away with any of this foolishness,” asked Michael Hardeman of Reston, Virginia. “There is racism alive and well in the United States. District Attorney Reed Walters should be investigated and officially banned.”

Debra Slaughter, the owner of a corporate integrity and investigative services, said “Does racism ever end? Why is it when white kids break the law it’s called an adolescent prank, yet when Black youth are involved it becomes a federal offense or gang involvement? Enough is enough.” Supporters from Atlanta, Detroit, Florida, Washington, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and New York are also organizing people to attend the rally from their cities and have reached out to the MMM.

“We will not stop our support for the Jena 6 and we will not let up,” stated Dr. Toni Muhammad, the MMM Louisiana Network Coordinator. Along with Rev. John Martin, they are galvanizing supporters in the Lafayette LOC.

The other five boys still await their day in court and are out on bail. Over 300 protestors joined together on July 31 for the original sentencing date for Mr. Bell. Since that time the number of signatures gained on petitions has doubled and the Jena 6 has become one of the most talked about issues. When school restarted on August 24, several students cam to school wearing “Free the Jena Six” t-shirts, but was ordered to take them off.

The rally is also being supported by the Nation of Islam, New Black Panther Party, ACLU, ColorofChange.org, The Final Call Newspaper, The Community Defender, NAACP, Left Turn Magazine, Louisiana Justice Institute, Interfaith Worker Justice, People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, Common Ground Health Clinic, The Michael Baisden Show, Malcolm X Grassroots, Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, INCITE Women of Color against Violence, Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, and many more.

(For those interested in joining the rally or leading a caravan from your city please email: ministryofjustice@mmmhouston.net. Log on to www.mmmhouston.net for continued updates on the September 20th Rally in Jena Louisiana and the case.)