Nashville Jena 6 Organizing

Nashville People (or anyone else who wants to) - whether you went to Jena or not, go here to talk about your Jena 6, Day of Justice experience.

Important Update: We are still going to Jena despite Michael Bell’s conviction being overturned. Read our press release we sent out on Saturday September the 15 here.

A coalition of factions organized under The Citizens Against The Criminalization of People of Color are working to plan and finance a mass contingent bus trip to be in Jena Louisiana for the Rally on September 20th, Mychael Bell’s sentencing day. One of those factions is the Nashville Black Covenant Coalition, of which I am a Steering Committee member and PR Director for.

Here’s the info on how to join the pilgrimage to Jena:

NASHVILLE: IT’S TIME TO STAND UP!!!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

What is happening to the “The Jena 6” is an extreme case, but the criminal justice system has long targeted People of Color. The facts speak for themselves:
775,000 African American Men are in Federal & State Prisons
600,000 are in Colleges and Universities
25% more African American males are in jail than in college.

GET ON THE BUS AND SUPPORT ‘THE JENA 6”!!

September 19, 2007
5:00 pm Rally in Support of the Riders leaving for Jena, LA.
6:00 pm Buses will leave on September 19, 2007, from the Gentry Center on TSU’s campus.
8:00 am Rally and March in Jena, Louisiana
2:00 pm Leave Jena, LA returning to Nashville

We Have to Support the JENA 6

There will be a rally at The Village Church, 211 N. 11th Ave, Nashville TN. at 6:30pm on Thursday September the 13th to inform people further about the Jena situation and to raise money for the trip.

Money is being raised to make the trip free if possible, or at minimal cost.

To register to go to Jena on September 20th, call ‘Citizens’ at 615-469-5220

To donate money, click the paypal “Donate” button at the top of the page; or if you do not want to donate on line, you can mail in or drop off your donations at Citizens Bank, 2013 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208-2909 - Phone: (615) 327-9787 - Paid to the order of ‘The Jena 6 Fund’.

If you have any problems or questions also call 615-496-5220.

For media request and info, you can call me as NBCC’s PR Director at 615-478-5204.

There are currently 14 responses to “Nashville Jena 6 Organizing”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

1 On September 6th, 2007, Amanda said:
Where are these buses leaving from in Nashville?
2 On September 6th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
Good question Amanda, I had to call and ask myself.

From the Jefferson St. Baptist Church at 28th and Jefferson, right across from the TSU entrance.
3 On September 12th, 2007, Tani said:
Are the buses leaving on the 19th or 20th? Is there a minimum age required to get on the bus?
4 On September 12th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
It’s the 19th, I need to change that mistake. Also the launching point is now TSU’s gentry center and not Jefferson St Baptist; though they are taking donations.

The age limit as I was told in a meeting yesterday is 13 due to the arduousness of being on a bus for 20 hours out of a day and a half period.
5 On September 12th, 2007, Mel Jones said:
Hello,
I am proud to see all the unity that is coming forth on behalf of these young men. I live in New Orleans and we all know
know of the many injustices that have taken place here. Many people have come to our aid - mostly grassroots but
with such great power! Changes are coming here - slowly - but it is rewarding to know that we are standing up for this
cause and it will direct some positive future moves and precedents. I am the mother of a 3 year old and 18 year old
male so I cannot imagine being any other place than Jena, LA on the 20th…I am taking a vacation day but I would
take a unpaid day or week if it were necessary. I met the family at an event this weekend..they are riding on on
strenght and power…we need to fly high!
Mel
6 On September 13th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
We’re glad to be standing with y’all

I was on the Coast this summer and I’d like to hear your thoughts on my observations, which can be seen at this post:
www.blackperspective.net/index.php/katrina-nearly-two-years-later/

Also, If you feel like it you can check out my Katrina 2 year anniversary posts:
www.blackperspective.net/index.php/the-gulf-coast-after-katrina/
this one is a picture post: www.blackperspective.net/index.php/pictures-from-the-gulf-coast/
7 On September 13th, 2007, Patrice said:
Is it necessary to pre-register before Sept. 20th if you plan on attending the rally
and riding the TSU buses or can you show up the day of and register to ride? Also, Ive been
hearing that everyone is to wear all black on the 20th down to Jena,LA is that true?
8 On September 13th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
Yes, you have to register, there is not unlimited space.

An yes, people across the nation are asked to wear black on that day as part of the demonstration whether you’re in Jena or not. It’s actually away for people who are not there to show their support.
9 On September 13th, 2007, Anthony said:
I’m glad you’re spreading the word about the rally taking place here in Nashville. I won’t be able to attend because I’ve already commited to a Youth Encouragement Services dinner here in town. I just wanted to lend a voice of support for the rally even though I won’t be in attendance myself. Please keep this website going because I plan to return for further updates on upcoming events around town.
10 On September 13th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
Sounds good Anthony. Just spread the word about the rally to people you know, so that people who can come do.

This Jena 6 page will be up for a while. I hope to see this thing through.
11 On September 13th, 2007, Alexis said:
What time is the rally in Nashville and where is it located?
12 On September 13th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
Which rally? There’s one tonight to inform and raise money for people to go to Jena, at 6:30 at the Village Church. The address and phone number for that are listed in bold in the post.

There’s a send off rally at 5:00 on the 19th at TSU’s Gentry Center.

I have no information on a September 20th rally in Nashville, to coincide with the one in Jena. We talked about that in a meeting Tuesday, but somebody has to step up and organize it, and to my knowledge no one has. It’s been fulltime work for some in our group just to get the bus trip organized. We couldn’t organize the local rally too, with our time and resource constraints; especially since we won’t be here to direct it.

If I get any info on a local Sept 20 rally, I’ll post it.
13 On September 18th, 2007, BLKXTC said:
IS THERE A RALLY TONIGHT AT THE GENTRY CENTER?
09/18/07?
14 On September 19th, 2007, D. Yobachi Boswell said:
The rally is wednesday the 19th at the Gentry Center. It’s just a send off rally to send off the riders to Jena. It’ll be kicking off about 4:30