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Louisiana Case Raises Questions of Racial Injustice

A case in which six black high school students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder for fighting with a white student last year in Jena, Louisiana has raised concern about the possibility of racially-motivated unequal treatment.

The case, known as the Jena Six, began in August 2006, when three black Jena High School students sat under a “white tree” in the school’s courtyard where only white students traditionally sat. The next day, the black students found three nooses hanging from the tree. In the weeks after, racial altercations engulfed the town of Jena.

Under questionable circumstances, LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters charged six black teenagers with attempted murder. Only one white student was charged for his involvement in the fights—a minor charge of battery that put him on probation.

Although some of the charges were later reduced to aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, one student still faces an attempted murder charge and up to 50 years in prison without suspension, probation or parole.

“Given the facts as reported, the Jena Six case raises serious questions about a possible double standard for whites and blacks in the criminal justice system—and in our schools” said Dennis Parker, Director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. “Possible differences in treatment between students of different races, the apparent overcharging of students by law enforcement and questions about the possibility of discrimination generally in the school are emblematic of the school-to-prison pipeline cases that we are seeing nationwide.”

The ACLU has been on the ground, working closely with the families of the Jena Six since March 2007, before their story was reported nationally.