I find it disgusting that so many people could support what amounts to a mob attack on an innocent. Maybe you've heard a lot of second-hand bullshit through Facebook or whatnot, but the wikipedia has facts, and the testimonials from both the black and white citizens of Jena tell a fully different story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena_6

"I'm not even sure how to start this post, as I joined
this site particularly to respond to this thread. I
decided that it was time that there was a dose of the
facts.

Once upon a time, a school assembly was held to
discuss dress codes at Jena High School. An assembly
was held for the boys, and one for the girls, as the
dress codes do have some differences. As a joke during
the boys' assembly, a black boy, who is known to
always joke around, asked the principal, "can we sit
under the tree." There are no boundaries as to where
anyone can or cannot sit at the school. That tree was
a twig when I went there. It grows right smack in the
middle of the school square. Kids tend to congregate
in areas with their friends. Some congregate under the
tree, on the benches, around the "casket," and other
areas of the school. Blacks and whites are welcome at
any one of those locales. People tend to congregate
where they feel comfortable. That usually is where the
majority of their friends are. However, there is
nothing saying that they cannot go elsewhere. Same is
the case here.

The square at Jena High School has been known for the
center of school spirit and/or pranks for many years.
I've seen everything from "funerals" of opponent
football teams to the tree and surrounding area
covered with toilet tissue. Jena High School is known
for themed activities surrounding football games. This
particular week, JHS was playing a team in which the
mascot is Cowboys! Hence, the nooses in the
tree..."hang'em high!" Not for one moment did the
thought of racism cross my mind or the majority of the
others. It was football season. We were playing the
cowboys. The kids, girls and boys, wore boots to
school and had a western themed pep rally! Nooses =
cowboys and horse theives in my world. Maybe I've
watched too much Gunsmoke, but racism was not even a
thought. Due to the reaction of ADULTS in the black
community, not the kids at the school, the boys were
suspended. The entire punishment for those boys was
never published because of the confidentiality of the
issue. However, the boys were suspended. They and
their families were required to go to counseling. The
boys had hours of community service. The boys and
their families continue to receive threatening phone
calls, but yet no one has addressed that issue.

In the wee hours of a Thursday morning, arsonists set
fire to Jena High School. The main building burned.
Blacks and whites, alike, wiped tears as their Alma
Mater was for the most part gone! Nothing has been
proven to be related to the noose incident or any
other racially motivated activities.

The weekend after the school burned, a private party
was held in Jena. Invited guests were black and white.
However, some uninvited guests showed up at the party
and wanted to come in. A fight ensued between a white
boy and a black boy. This fueled fights that took
place over the weekend.

A white young man was leaving from a convenience store
that is located on the outskirts of town. As he was
leaving, black boys "jumped" him. He did have a gun in
his truck, as do many of the males that hunt in this
part of the world. When he went to get his gun, the
black boys took the gun from him. Police were called.
Black boys were arrested for stealing the gun and
attacking him. He was not involved at the incident at
the party, nor was he even at the party.

The following Monday, the kids returned to JHS, the
first day after the fire. Emotions were still askew
due to the fire. Everything that was "normal" was not
"normal" any more. There was no intercom system.
Classes were moved all over the remaining part of the
school. It was chaos, but controlled for the most
part.

The students stayed in the gym area during their lunch
break. When the bell rang for them to head back to
class, one of the "Jena six," cornered a freshmen
white boy in the lobby of the gym. He was trying to
get the boy to fight him. The freshmen boy was clad in
blue jeans and red wing boots, hence the typical "red
neck." Another black boy, the very SAME one that asked
about sitting under the tree, pulled one of the "Jena
six" away from the boy and told him that there would
be none of that fighting there.

However, that wasn't enough for same boy. As the
students were returning to class, same "Jena Six" boy,
pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up over his head and
pushed the victim down into a concrete wall. When the
boy hit the concrete, he was knocked unconscious. It
was at this time, that five other boys, joined in and
continued to stomp and kick the boy as he lay
unconscious on the ground. Guess what...the SAME boy
that asked can we sit under the tree, was doing
everything that he could to pull them off of the
victim. The color of his skin is also black! A friend
of the victims managed to lay over the victim until
teachers could get there to break the fight up.
Remember, there was no intercom system, no way to call
for help! The victim was unconscious when he the
ambulance arrived. Hospital records will verify that.
Thank God, he ended up not being hurt any worse than
he was.

On same night of the incidence, the junior class had
their ring ceremony at a local church since the
auditorium of the school was burned. The victim was a
junior and was able to attend the ceremony. His face
was swollen and bruised, but yet he was able to walk
up and get his ring. The audience applauded as his Mom
placed the ring on his finger. One of the Jena six,
was also at this ring ceremony the same night.

So the question that many are asking is was he hurt
badly enough for the "Jena Six" to be charged with
attempted murder? I, for one, am not sure of exactly
what the statutes or guidelines are for determining
charges. However, the extent of one's injuries does
not have a thing to do with that. Think about it, one
could shoot at someone and miss, and never harm a hair
on their head. That's just something to think about.

Oh by the way, since there's already one thing to
think about, here is yet another. Think about the
"black" girl that was consoled by her "white" friends
the day after the fight. She was having to be consoled
because some of the blacks, the color of her own skin,
were threatening her, stating that she was the one
that turned them in. Ask the media to find that girl
and her Mom. There just may be a different twist on
everything.

This is an unfortunate situation for everyone
involved, the kids, their families, the school, and
the community. The community has come together on more
than one occasion with prayer meetings for unity and
harmony in the community. There are consequences for
behaviors. I hope that you will join with us in
praying for consequences to be just.

The moral of this whole story is, do not believe
everything that you here in the media. Remember, there
is more than one side of the story. Unfortunately, the
side that is most news worthy is the one that makes
the news.

Please remember our community in your prayers."

The Jena saints sure seem a bit different now, huh? Racism is wrong, but assault is illegal.