My new favourite city

[aerdran]

Latest update I got from Friends for Justice on the Jena 6.



Posted: 06 Aug 2007 04:32 PM CDT

Cambridge, MA just passed this resolution in support of the Jena 6:

************************************************************

CAMBRIDGE MA
POLICY ORDER RESOLUTION

O-35
IN CITY COUNCIL
July 30, 2007
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
MAYOR REEVES
COUNCILLOR SULLIVAN
VICE MAYOR TOOMEY

WHEREAS: In September of 2006, in Jena, Louisiana, a group of African-American students sat under “the white tree” in the Jena High School yard and the following day three nooses were hung from the tree; and

WHEREAS: Throughout the fall, incidents occurred including an arson attack which damaged a school building and several assaults on African-American students in which the white offenders were not charged; and

WHEREAS: In December, white students taunted an African-American student who had been assaulted over the weekend and a fight broke out in the school during which one of the white students was assaulted and treated in the hospital but able to appear at a social function that night; and

WHEREAS: Six African-American students were immediately arrested, charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, expelled from school with charges which could bring them 20-100 years in prison; and

WHEREAS: In June an all-white jury convicted the first defendant Mychal Bell of “lesser” charges of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery in a trial where the prosecutor called only white witnesses, some of whom said they did not see anything and Bell’s public defender called no witnesses and offered no evidence; and

WHEREAS: This frightening example of racism calls to mind an earlier time in the United States in which segregation and the “lynching” of African-Americans was common practice; and

WHEREAS: Part of the reason these practices were brought to an end was the courage demonstrated by those who stood up in their own defense and the attention from others around the country; and

WHEREAS: The young men charged with these crimes and their families have been eloquent in their own defense and calling for justice; and

WHEREAS: Cambridge has a history of standing with communities around the globe and within the United States who are facing threats with the awareness that prejudice and oppression can happen anywhere there is not vigilance; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council expresses its dismay at the practices of the legal system in Jena if all-white juries and an unbalanced judicial process unfairly serve the African-American community and fail to hold accountable those in the white community who are responsible for behaviors of verbal intimidation and physical assaults; and be it further

RESOLVED:
That the Cambridge City Council goes on record in support of the young men and their families in Jena in their pursuit of justice; and be it further

RESOLVED:
That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the families of the “Jena Six” young men, J. Reed Walters, District Attorney of LaSalle Parish and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco on behalf of the entire City Council.


x-posted to betherevolution

Comments

[the-kaytinator.livejournal.com]

Sweet!!!

Of course, there is an argument to be made that this is politicians becoming involved in a judicial question.

But when the judiciary is failing to do the job it is supposed to do: ie. treat everyone equally and dispense justice in a fair manner, then I'm all for government interfering.

[aerdran.livejournal.com]

Well, so long as the government is not trying to push their will on the judicial system and is just expressing support and all, I think that's really something that should be done. It's human nature to do so, and some politicians might even be human! I'm still checking.

But yes, when the judicial system fails to be fair and equal, someone has to do something. I'm glad to see this kind of thing happening, because it might actually help pressure the judicial system into acting in the fair, aboveboard manner in which they are supposed to act (hey, it must happen sometimes! Just less so for non-whites).

It took so long for word to even get out about this travesty (major newspapers are just now finally running the story), that now people are able to do something and protest as individuals, groups, or even cities it would seem so that something real can be done for those kids. I just wish I could do more.

[thepheenixeyri.livejournal.com]

Wow! How cool is this!

Hot damn! :)

Phoenix

[aerdran.livejournal.com]

Wonderful, isn't it? I'd like to see more cities do the same thing. The more the people who messed this up know the world is watching, the better they will hopefully be about it.

[thepheenixeyri.livejournal.com]

Yeah, really. It would be nice, wouldn't it?

::Heres to hope hope hoping!::

[breyzyyin.livejournal.com]

That's really good news!

[aerdran.livejournal.com]

Isn't it?! I absolutely love seeing how people are stepping up and letting it be known that this sort of thing is not acceptable.

There's hope for the world yet.

[kandysmindfreak.livejournal.com]

hey hun, I'm posting this here cause yours was the last one left. I didn't get a comment saying picked up or nothing. So hope you don't mind me posting this here.

[aerdran.livejournal.com]

Oh! Thank you so much! I totally forgot about it with how busy I've been.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes. It's wonderful! I shall now upload it and credit it.

::hugs::

[thesarawithanh.livejournal.com]

rock on!!!!