Mos Def Wants You...

Mos Def, always interesting on screen, is making up for some of his real-life shenanigans as of late. He is organizing a rally in Jena, and asks that our community joins him. Here is the info about the day and ways to get there:

On September 20th, Mychal Bell--the first of the Jena 6 to be convicted--is scheduled for sentencing. If the District Attorney has his way, Mychal will face 22 years in prison. It's a horrifying moment for Mychal, his parents, and the rest of the Jena 6 families. It's also a perfect time for those who can to come to Jena, in person, and stand with them. Thousands of people across the country have already signed up to come to Jena. Please join us on Sept. 20th ...

Our presence in Jena--in large numbers--will help focus media attention on the situation in Jena, escalate pressure on Louisiana public officials, and most importantly, show the families of the Jena 6, especially Mychal Bell and his parents, that we will stand with them in the face of this injustice.

On July 31st, with only a few days to prepare, 300 people from across the country rallied at the Jena Courthouse. We delivered a petition signed by 43,000 ColorOfChange.org members to the District Attorney demanding that he drop the charges against the Jena 6. It was powerful day that made it clear that the Jena 6 and their families won't have to fight on their own. Since then, more than 100,000 people have taken action and contacted the Governor, media attention to the case has grown, and we have an even bigger opportunity to make a profound impact. As we plan for this event, we want to get a sense of how many people can commit to coming to Jena. Below are some details about getting there, so you can figure out if you'll be able to join us.

If you can join us, please click on the link below to RSVP: http://colorofchange.org/jena/rsvp.html

Details: If you're flying to Louisiana, the closest airports to Jena are Alexandria (45 minute drive) and Monroe (1.5 hour drive). You can also fly to Lafayette (2.25 hour drive), Shreveport (2.75 hour drive), Baton Rouge (3 hour drive), New Orleans (4.25 hour drive), or Houston (about a 5 hour drive).

The closest hotels are in Pineville and Alexandria. As they fill up, we'd recommend staying at hotels near the airports above.If travelling from out of town, you'll want to get to Louisiana the night before, as things will start early in the morning, probably by 8am or 9am. Organizers will meet you when you arrive at a central location in Jena and get you situated for the day. We will be providing maps, organizers' cell phone numbers, and other information closer to the day-of; you will be able to reach someone in case you have any problems, need directions, or have questions along the way.

RSVP: Once you're confident you can come, please rsvp at the following page: http://colorofchange.org/jena/rsvp.html. If you have questions, you can send them to
jena@colorofchange.org.

If you can't come, don't worry. There are other ways you can participate. First, make sure you've signed ColorOfChange.org's petition in support of the Jena 6: http://www.colorofchange.org/jena6

Once you've signed that petition, you'll receive emails from ColorOfChange.org with more ways to take action between now and the 20th. Whatever your participation, we thank you for your ongoing commitment to justice for the Jena 6.

Update: Received an email that help with legal is needed through donations:

Mychal Bell Legal Defense

Fund c/o Attorney Louis Scott

510 Pine Street

Monroe, LA 71201

mychalbelldefense at gmail.com

and Jena Six Legal Defense Fund

Update #2 from My Urban Report:

5:40pm: Markus Jones tells My Urban Report that his son Mychal Bell’s conviction on aggravated battery charges has been overturned by appeal.
From law office of Bell’s Attorney Lewis Scott:
“The writ was granted from the 3rd circuit to dismiss the adult charges on Mychal Bell.”
The DA has 13 days to appeal the decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

6:30pm: Reverand Raymond Brown president of Christians United of Louisiana tells My Urban Report:“Mychal Bell is still incarcerated, and by the time Monday comes round when all of the rejoicing is over, people will realize he’s still not a free man. That can be reversed, so you don’t rejoice until the DA says he will not retry him as an adult.”
Waiting to learn plans for scheduled march. Stay tuned.