Thousands are converging on Jena, LA today "to show support for the Jena Six, a group of black teenagers who faced felony charges after they allegedly beat a white classmate last school year."
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Critics allege the cases show authorities in this predominantly white town are disproportionately harsh toward black people.
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The school fight in December reportedly was a culmination of a slew of racial taunts, confrontations and a protest by black students after they found nooses hanging from an oak tree where white students usually gathered. The tree has since been cut down.
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"We want people to come in peace. We want people to remain in peace and in order, and to leave in peace," Robert Bailey Sr. said." Bailey is the father of one of the young men now labeled the Jena 6.

Facing South has several articles tracking the Jena 6 legal fiasco.

In a Facing South update on the case we are reminded, As the AP reminds us, the "attempted murder" charge never made sense: "The victim of the Dec. 4 beating, Justin Barker, was treated at a hospital for injuries and released the same day." Later the same day he attended a school function.

I can't speak to the specifics of this issue. However, I don't find it hard to believe black people are treated differently by the legal system and society in general. I've seen it in my travels around the country, north, south, east, and west.

Let there be peace in Jena, LA, today. Let there be change in Jena, LA, and the entire country.

Update: according to Nashville is Talking, hundreds from Nashville are taking buses to attend.

Updates: CNN reports: At 8 a.m. ET, a Louisiana state patrol officer said five tour buses were being allowed into the town every 12 minutes. That resulted in buses lined up as far as the eye could see in both directions on Route 49.

MSNBC reports: Riders on the buses have abandoned them due to stalled traffic. Instead they are moving on foot, some are holding banners and signs, while cameras are recording it all.