Sharpton: We're not going to let the clock be turned back in America in Jena, Louisiana David Edwards and Greg Wasserstrom

Published: Wednesday September 19, 2007





Print This Email This Rev. Al Sharpton appeared on CNN's Newsroom to discuss the racial tension that has burst to the surface in Jena, Louisiana surrounding the conviction of Mychal Bell, one of the group of black high school students now known as the Jena Six, whom were arrested after the beating of a white student. Racial tensions had been plaguing the high school campus after nooses were found hung from a tree months before the incident. "The tree had been a gathering spot for white students," the Associated Press reports. "The nooses were found after a black student asked school officials if blacks could sit there too." While the school suspended three white students over the nooses, there were no charges filed. "Bell and four others originally faced trial as adults on attempted second-degree murder charges in connection with a December attack that left white classmate Justin Barker bloodied and unconscious," the AP report continues. "Another teen was booked as a juvenile and charges have not been make public." Sharpton and other activists have planned a series of rallies in Jena to raise awareness about what they view to be unfair prosecutorial standards. "This march and rally tomorrow is very neccesary," Sharpton said, "because despite the outpouring, despite presidential candidates weighing in, this local prosecutor is almost like out of the history books, and we really need to show the nation and the world that we're not going to let the clock be turned back in America in Jena, Louisiana." Shapton also weighed in on the Confederate flag recently hung outside a Jena home. "It sends more of a message of racism and hate than anything we're coming with," said Sharpton. "We're asking for equal protection under the law... we're asking the prosecutor to be even handed... they're saying more to the nation about Jena than we can ever say." Video from CNN's Newsroom, broadcast on September 19: In the following video, Jesse Jackson arrives in Jena, LA, and prepares to march on behalf of the "Jena 6." The video is from CNN's American Morning, broadcast on September 20.



