Residents of Jena, La., say that life is almost back to normal five years after the town became the epicenter of controversy when a racial episode etched its name in history books, according to the Associated Press.
The incident began on Aug. 30, 2006, after a black student asked if sitting under a tree on campus was only for white students. The next day the site was the scene of three nooses hanging from the tree. Months later Justin Barker, a white student, was beaten and six of his classmates were arrested. Five of them were charged with attempted murder.
The charges sparked nationwide protests and drew civil rights leaders to the small town to fend for the youths on September 2007.
"Thousands of chanting demonstrators filled the streets that September day, led by figures such as the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson," the AP reports. "At the time, the town was left to fend off accusations of racism in the justice system — no one was charged for hanging the nooses, and protesters derided the attempted murder charges as excessive. The charges were later reduced."
Members of the Jena Six are determined to move away — and learn — from their controversial pasts, the AP reports.
While it's good that the youths have been able to move on with their lives, it's too bad that no one was brought to justice for hanging the nooses.
Read more at News One.
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