Today, in support of the "Jena 6", many are wearing black in what many are calling "Black Thursday". Buses started their travels to Jena, LA last night to march and show their support to the six teenage boys who were wrongfully charged for attempted murder during a rash of racial incident at Jena High School.
The black attire is to bring a solemn yet poignant message of solidarity around the issue at hand. It was coincided with a rally in Jena today that has thousands traveling to the southern town.
The attire was marketed via word of mouth, text messages and community websites, such as Facebook.com
The Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the rally's organizers, said this could be the beginning of the 21st century's civil rights movement, one that would challenge disparities in the justice system.
The six were charged a few months after the local prosecutor declined to charge three white high school students who hung nooses in a tree on their high school grounds. Five of the black teens were initially charged with attempted murder, but that charge was reduced to battery for all but one, who has yet to be arraigned; the sixth teen, Mychal Bell, was charged as a juvenile.
The rally were scheduled to coincide with Bell's sentencing, but organizers decided to keep the date even after the conviction was thrown out. Bell remains in jail while prosecutors prepare an appeal. He has been unable to meet the $90,000 bond.
The rally was heavily promoted on African-American Web sites, blogs, radio and publications.
Students came from schools across the region, including historically black colleges and universities such as Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Hampton University and Southern University.
Many applauded the support, but were worried that this display would further strain the race relations in Jena.
In Jena, with only 3,500 residents, some residents were also worried about safety. Hotels were booked from as far away as Natchez, Miss., to Alexandria, La, each about 35 to 50 miles away.
Red Cross officials manned first aid stations near the local courthouse and had water and snacks on hand. Portable toilets and flashing street signs to aid in traffic direction were in place. At the courthouse troopers chatted amiably with each other and with demonstrators who began showing up well before dawn.
