MEMPHIS (Real Times News Service)—The superintendent of the LaSalle Parish schools in Jena, La., considered the hanging of three nooses on a tree an innocent prank. But African-American students weren’t buying it, which set in motion a series of events that led to the arrest of six African-American students called “The Jena Six.”

It was a fight that left a white student unconscious last year and has sparked worldwide interest in six African-American students who were charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder.

Carwin Jones, Theodore Shaw, Robert Bailey, Jesse Beard, Mychal Bell and Bryant Ray Purvis were arrested after the fight in December 2006 and assessed bonds from $70,000 to $138,000.

The six defendants ranged in age from 15 to 17. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Their story really begins with a schoolyard tree that for years white students had designated as for whites only. The trouble began when a group of African-American students secured the vice principal’s permission to sit under the tree.

The saga has many twists from that point, including the ironic fact that the tree actually was planted 15 years ago by an African-American former student, Catrina Wallace, and her friends.

On Sept. 1, 2006, three nooses were discovered hanging from the tree. The scene drew the ire of African-American students. One of them, Robert Bailey, then a 17-year-old safety/receiver for the school’s football team, feared it was bad history resurfacing.

“I’m thinking the KKK hanging nooses,” Bailey was quoted as saying. “They want to hang somebody....”

The culprits were three white students. The school principal recommended they be expelled.

Jena is in LaSalle Parish and the parish’s school superintendent overruled the principal and dismissed the incident as a prank. He suspended the offenders for three days.

The superintendent’s decision outraged African-American students and fueled the racial tension that was beginning to brew at the school and in the community.

The African-American students responded with a ’60s-era protest under the shade tree. On the day of the protest, local District Attorney Reed Walters issued a stern warning to the students at a hastily convened assembly.

“I can make your lives disappear with a stroke of my pen,” said Walters.

After a series of events—including a suspicious fire that destroyed a wing of the school in late November and more racial upheaval—the Jena story started making headlines around the world.

Walters did not return repeated calls to his home or office. An office worker explained that the district attorney would not comment on what many now know as the story of “The Jena Six.”

Five of the six defendants played football for Jena High School. One of those five, Bryant Ray Purvis, also had dreams of making headlines in the NBA.

Bryant was arrested Dec. 5 and spent two nights and three days in jail before his family could bail him out. If convicted, he could spend 25 to 100 years in prison without parole. His trial is still pending.

“He was very upset when it happened and stayed to himself for a few days afterward,” said Tina Jones, Bryant’s mother.

After Bryant was released, she sent him to Monroe, La., to stay with her sister and to attend a private school so he could complete his requirements for graduation.

“I had to get him out of town,” Jones said.

Mychal Bell was the first to be convicted. On June 28, an all-white jury at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse found him guilty. He was to be sentenced by Judge J.P. Mauffray on July 31 and could face at least 22 years in prison.

The three-day trial caused a media firestorm and ignited the emotions of African-American residents in this rural enclave of about 3,000 residents. According to the latest census figures, Jena is 85 percent white and 12 percent African-American.

“It’s a race thing,” said Jones, who was “horrified” when her son was arrested and subsequently charged. “We’ve always had a problem with the way they charge Blacks in this town for the same crimes that whites commit.”

Carwin Jones’ arrest came 14 days before graduation day. He spent most of those two weeks in jail. School officials allowed him to graduate—but not with the rest of the seniors.

John Jenkins said his son (Carwin Jones) cries sometimes when the thought of prison crosses his mind. “He thinks about his future. His dream was to be in the NFL,” said Jenkins, a 1980 graduate of Jena.

“It’s been devastating. I’m trying to make sure that he’s alright,” said Jenkins, who draws upon his religious faith.

“There are a lot of good people here in Jena, but racism is still prevalent. It’s a serious matter.”

Allan Bean, a baptist minister and executive director of Friends of Justice, a faith-based, grass roots organization that works to restore due process to all Americans, has rallied African-American and white churches in Jena in pursuit of justice.

“I’ve been trying to get first-rate representation for these individuals,” Bean said. A plethora of civil rights organizations and prominent individuals have joined the cause.

Meanwhile, parents of The Jena Six have bonded since their sons’ arrest. Theodore Shaw, who had been in jail since Dec. 4, was released on a property bond and money raised by supporters.

Robert Bailey, also locked up Dec. 4, was released on bond April 3. There were two bond hearings—one set at $74,000 for the school fight and another set at $24,000 for an altercation at the Gotta-Go convenience store. The total bond was reduced to $84,000.

Caseptla Bailey said she fears for her son’s life, particularly after he was assaulted by a white student.

In another incident, she said a white student pulled a pump-action shotgun on her son and two of his friends at the local convenience store. She said the shotgun was wrestled away, but her son and his associates were charged with assault and robbery with a gun.

“We know all of this is a Black and white issue,” said Bailey, a 1978 graduate of Jena. “Racism was very prevalent when I went to school and still is. The school is known for being racist.”

Students, both African-American and white, have been involved in fisticuffs for years, she said. She also has a problem with the way the latest fights were handled.

“I’ve come to the point where all of this has to stop,” she said. “I hope and pray something positive happens.”

Bailey said the story of the Jena Six should affect African-Americans wherever racism is evident.

(People interested in supporting the Jena 6 Defense Fund can write to P.O. Box 2798, Jena, LA 71342 or email jena6defense@gmail.com.)