Black Student Association organizes protest rally for "Jena 6"

For the past several weeks, the legal issues of a group of black Louisiana teenagers known as the “Jena 6” have led to a national debate on racial inequality in America.

The Black Student Association at Pittsburg State University has decided to raise its voice on the issue. The BSA will lead a protest rally on Wednesday, Oct. 17, on the Oval of PSU. The peaceful rally will be held first from 9-10 a.m. and again from noon-2 p.m. Students will be dressed in BSA T-shirts and will carry posters and signage that questions the issue of racial unfairness in this country.

“We’re doing this because we would like to know why we’re still dealing with racial inequality and tensions in 2007, when the Civil Rights era was 50 years ago,” said Darlene Freeman, a BSA member. “Years ago people were struggling, fighting and dying so we wouldn’t have to go through this today. We want people outside our community to be aware this is still going on.”

The rally will be attended by about 50 supporters, Freeman said. Rallys and demonstrations have been held across the country in support of the “Jena 6.”

The six black students from Jena, La., were charged with second degree attempted murder and conspiracy after allegedly beating a white student. The victim was one of several white students accused of hanging nooses from a tree said to be in “white territory.” The nooses were allegedly placed there in response to a group of black students sitting in the area the previous day. The “Jena 6” are now out on bond, and their court cases are ongoing.

For more information on the rally, contact BSA advisors Eric Wilkinson at 620-235-6078, Trinity Davis at 620-235-4502, or BSA President Harold Wallace at 620-235-4077.

---Pitt State---