'Jena 6' case sparks protests in southwestern CT

A legal case against six black teens in Jena, Louisiana has prompted protests across the country, including several in southwestern Connecticut. Five of the six teens, dubbed the ?Jena 6,? were initially

News 12 Staff

Sep 20, 2007, 11:03 PM

Updated 6,063 days ago

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'Jena 6' case sparks protests in southwestern CT
A legal case against six black teens in Jena, Louisiana has prompted protests across the country, including several in southwestern Connecticut.
Five of the six teens, dubbed the ?Jena 6,? were initially charged with attempted murder for beating a white classmate. The charges were later downgraded for five of the students. The sixth was charged as a juvenile. One of the students was convicted, but the ruling was overturned.
Some believe the teens were charged unfairly based on racial bias. Racial tensions began to flare last year when white students hung nooses from a tree at the high school after black students sat under it. However, the white students were not charged.
A rally was held in Park City Thursday, and participants said the case is not about black and white, it?s about right and wrong.
?The fact that six high school students [are] being charged with attempted murder over a high school fight. Now I'm not saying they shouldn't be charged with something, but attempted murder?? Kasha Edward said.
?I'm out here because I don't agree with the young black men being in jail, and I don't agree with the court system in Jena, Louisiana,? Jasmine Ingram said.
Others expressed disgust and embarrassment at the situation.
AP wire reports contributed to this article.


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