1,000 students in Watts walk out to support Jena 6

The case of the Jena 6 brought over 50,000 people into the streets of Jena, La. on Sept. 20. Masses came out to

denounce the racist prosecution of six Black teenagers falsely charged with attempted murder and similar charges.

Other actions took place simultaneously throughout the country, including a massive high school walkout in the Watts area of Los Angeles and a protest in Leimert Park, a predominantly Black South Central neighborhood.

Over 1,000 students walked out of Locke High School that morning holding signs that read “Free the Jena 6, down with white supremacy” and “Free the Jena 6, down with Jim Crow.”

The students were mostly African American, but many Latino students joined them as they took over the street and shut down traffic, marching to Southwest College.

ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and Party for Socialism and Liberation organizers

participated in the event. Locke students took copies of Liberation newspaper desplaying the “Free the Jena 6” cover story as they marched.

At another demonstration later that day, organized by the Active Students for African People and sponsored by ANSWER and the PSL, over 500 demonstrators filled Leimert Park. Dozens came after walking out of nearby Crenshaw High School.

Another vigil organized by the Community Coalition and Project Islamic Hope drew nearly 200 participants.

Jasimen Syler, UCLA student and an organizer of the Leimert Park action, told PSLweb.org: “As long as we live under a system that uses racism to divide students and working people, then the struggle will continue.”

Free the Jena 6! Free Mychal Bell! Drop the charges now!

Photos: Carlos Alvarez

Click here to read an eyewitness report from Jena on Sept. 20.