By Cheryl LaBash
Published Aug 29, 2008 8:15 PM
On Aug. 22 demonstrations in many U.S. cities demanded an immediate moratorium on raids, incarcerations, deportations and separation of immigrant families. The urgent call responded to the racist killing of 25-year-old Luis Ramírez and plans by ICE/Homeland Security to dragnet half a million people in the next six months.
Ramírez was beaten to death by three white high school football players in Shenandoah, Penn., near Hazelton, Penn., a town notorious for enacting virulent anti-immigrant laws. At the Aug. 18 arraignment for the accused killers, where the charges were reduced from first degree to third degree murder, demonstrators gathered outside the Schuykill County, Penn., courthouse to demand justice for the slain Mexican immigrant.
Teresa Gutierrez, a leader of the May 1 Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights, who traveled from New York City, told WNEP-TV, “No one has the right to be judge, jury and executioner on the streets of this country, no matter the legal status of any Latino or other immigrant.”
Emma Lozano, who traveled from Chicago with a delegation of young pink-bereted Latinas, said: “That’s why we’re here. We’re here to say the hate’s got to stop. We’re here to battle the hate, not to battle individuals or a race or a color of people, just the hate.”
The nationwide protests were organized as a result of a call from Latinas, a Chicago-based group of women including Emma Lozano, Flor Crisostomo and Elvira Arellano, and Familia Latina Unida/SIN FRONTERAS. Arellano is a Chicago airport worker who took sanctuary in a church there for more than a year to draw attention to the cruel separation of immigrant families. She was deported to Mexico after leaving sanctuary. Crisostomos is now in sanctuary in the same Chicago church.
According to a statement issued from Mexico by Elvira Arellano on Aug. 25, the demands for the moratorium were raised in fourteen U.S. cities, as well as Mexico City.
In New York City, the May 1 Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights held a picket/press conference at the ICE Processing Center in lower Manhattan.
In Chicago, a new ¡Ya Basta! Coalition gathered with Congressman Luis Gutierrez and over a dozen Latin@ elected officials and delegates to the Democratic National Convention. One by one the delegates pledged to bring the demand for a moratorium to all the delegations at the DNC.
From Mexico City, Mexico, in a moving moment, the mother of Luis Ramírez called to address the crowd and the press in Chicago over a speakerphone. “I just want justice for my son,” she said, surrounded by supporters at the press conference supporting the demand for a moratorium.
In Detroit, more than 30 picketers appeared at the Detroit Homeland Security ICE office. Latinos Unidos and Pro-Immigrant Awareness spearheaded the Detroit action. It was supported by members of Centro Obrero, Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Human Rights (Ann Arbor), the Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellerman and non-immigrant organizations including the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice (MECAWI), BAMN (By Any Means Necessary), the youth group Fight Imperialism, Stand Together (FIST)—Cleveland chapter and the National Lawyers Guild.
In Los Angeles, more than forty people picketed the downtown Federal Building
In Portland, Ore., Jobs with Justice coissued a press release endorsing the Aug. 22 moratorium demands and urging supporters to contact delegates. Gatherings also occurred in Philadelphia and Houston.
Source: Workers
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
UPDATE: Police investigate possible plot to kill Obama at Invesco
By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News , April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 05:15 p.m., August 25, 2008
Updated 10:15 p.m., August 25, 2008
Tharin Gartrell, 28.
Nathan Johnson
Photo by Barry Gutierrez
A broken window that appears to be on the sixth floor of the Cherry Creek Hotel in ENglewood , Colo. Monday Aug. 25 2008. It is not confirmed that this is the window that the suspect jumped from.
Related LinksVideo: Police foil possible plot against Obama More Denver Democratic National Convention 2008Michelle Obama rallies Democrats at Pepsi Center Stonewall chairman calls attempts to ban gay marriage "deplorable" Protesters Get Lecture from "Born on the Fourth of July" Author More stories » Story Tools
Email Print Comments Change text size Share
What is this?
AURORA — Authorities are investigating a possible assassination plot against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
At least three people have been arrested in connection with a possible plot to kill Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, according to CBS4 News. The suspects are being held on either drug or weapons charges.
Aurora police arrested a suspected drunken at 1:30 a.m. Sunday during a routine traffic stop where the man was seen "weaving," sources said.
Aurora police seized a bullet-proof vest, two rifles, one of which was stolen and one with a hunting scope, ammunition, drugs and walkie-talkies.
Detective Marcus Dudley, a police spokesman, would not comment on reports that the men were involved in a plot to kill Obama. He told reporters gathered in a parking lot behind the police station that he could not discuss the "federal implications" of the case or whether others besides the three men had been arrested. However, he did confirm that federal authorities were involved in arresting two of the men.
"Clearly, we feel there are federal implications. Beyond that I can't elaborate," he said.
He said the U.S. Attorney for Colorado will hold a news conference Wednesday.
CBS4 reported one of the suspects told authorities they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."
Law-enforcement sources told CBS4 that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."
A second source told CBS4 News that they are concerned they may have come upon a possible "assasination plot."
Dudley identied the men arrested as:
* Tharim Robert Gartrell, 28, who was carrying a Colorado identification card that listed a Centennial address. Gartrell was erratically driving a rented 2008 blue Dodge Ram truck that was not registered in his name. The cache of guns, ammo, drugs and other equipment were found in the truck.
* Nathan Johnson, 32. About three hours after Gartrell's arrest, police from Aurora, Denver and Greenwood Village, and federal agents arrested Johnson at a hotel near Interstate 25 and Belleview Avenue. He is being held on drug charges in Denver. His bond amount was not available.
* Shawn Robert Adolf, 33. Police and federal agents arrested Adolf at the Cherry Creek Hotel at 600 South Colorado Boulevard in Glendale around 5 a.m. Sunday after he jumped from a sixth-floor window. Adolf was injured when he fell four stories onto the second-floor roof of the hotel kitchen. He then jumped again onto the ground around the hotel, where police caught him a short time later. Johnson was hospitalized with unspecified injuries from his fall. He is being held on 7 outstanding warrants with bonds totaling $1 million.
The Secret Service, ATF and U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating.
Brian Maass of CBS4 News contributed to this report.
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 05:15 p.m., August 25, 2008
Updated 10:15 p.m., August 25, 2008
Tharin Gartrell, 28.
Nathan Johnson
Photo by Barry Gutierrez
A broken window that appears to be on the sixth floor of the Cherry Creek Hotel in ENglewood , Colo. Monday Aug. 25 2008. It is not confirmed that this is the window that the suspect jumped from.
Related LinksVideo: Police foil possible plot against Obama More Denver Democratic National Convention 2008Michelle Obama rallies Democrats at Pepsi Center Stonewall chairman calls attempts to ban gay marriage "deplorable" Protesters Get Lecture from "Born on the Fourth of July" Author More stories » Story Tools
Email Print Comments Change text size Share
What is this?
AURORA — Authorities are investigating a possible assassination plot against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
At least three people have been arrested in connection with a possible plot to kill Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, according to CBS4 News. The suspects are being held on either drug or weapons charges.
Aurora police arrested a suspected drunken at 1:30 a.m. Sunday during a routine traffic stop where the man was seen "weaving," sources said.
Aurora police seized a bullet-proof vest, two rifles, one of which was stolen and one with a hunting scope, ammunition, drugs and walkie-talkies.
Detective Marcus Dudley, a police spokesman, would not comment on reports that the men were involved in a plot to kill Obama. He told reporters gathered in a parking lot behind the police station that he could not discuss the "federal implications" of the case or whether others besides the three men had been arrested. However, he did confirm that federal authorities were involved in arresting two of the men.
"Clearly, we feel there are federal implications. Beyond that I can't elaborate," he said.
He said the U.S. Attorney for Colorado will hold a news conference Wednesday.
CBS4 reported one of the suspects told authorities they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."
Law-enforcement sources told CBS4 that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."
A second source told CBS4 News that they are concerned they may have come upon a possible "assasination plot."
Dudley identied the men arrested as:
* Tharim Robert Gartrell, 28, who was carrying a Colorado identification card that listed a Centennial address. Gartrell was erratically driving a rented 2008 blue Dodge Ram truck that was not registered in his name. The cache of guns, ammo, drugs and other equipment were found in the truck.
* Nathan Johnson, 32. About three hours after Gartrell's arrest, police from Aurora, Denver and Greenwood Village, and federal agents arrested Johnson at a hotel near Interstate 25 and Belleview Avenue. He is being held on drug charges in Denver. His bond amount was not available.
* Shawn Robert Adolf, 33. Police and federal agents arrested Adolf at the Cherry Creek Hotel at 600 South Colorado Boulevard in Glendale around 5 a.m. Sunday after he jumped from a sixth-floor window. Adolf was injured when he fell four stories onto the second-floor roof of the hotel kitchen. He then jumped again onto the ground around the hotel, where police caught him a short time later. Johnson was hospitalized with unspecified injuries from his fall. He is being held on 7 outstanding warrants with bonds totaling $1 million.
The Secret Service, ATF and U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating.
Brian Maass of CBS4 News contributed to this report.
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Monday, August 25, 2008
Plot to Kill Obama: Shoot From High Vantage Point
Brian Maass
DENVER (CBS4) ― CBS4 has now learned at least four people are under arrest in connection with a possible plot to kill Barack Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech in Denver. All are being held on either drug or weapons charges.
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass reported one of the suspects told authorities they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."
Law enforcement sources tell Maass that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."
The story began emerging Sunday morning when Aurora police arrested 28-year-old Tharin Gartrell. He was driving a rented pickup truck in an erratic manner according to sources.
Sources told CBS4 police found two high-powered, scoped rifles in the car along with camouflage clothing, walkie-talkies, a bulletproof vest, a spotting scope, licenses in the names of other people and methamphetamine. One of the rifles is listed as stolen from Kansas.
Subsequently authorities went to the Cherry Creek Hotel to contact an associate of Gartrell's. But that man, who was wanted on numerous warrants, jumped out of a sixth floor hotel window. Law enforcement sources say the man broke an ankle in the fall and was captured moments later. Sources say he was wearing a ring with a swastika, and is thought to have ties to white supremacist organizations.
A third man -- an associate of Gartrell and the hotel jumper was also arrested. He told authorities that the two men "planned to kill Barack Obama at his acceptance speech."
That man, along with a woman, are also under arrest.
The Secret Service, FBI, ATF and the joint terrorism task force are all investigating the alleged plot.
The U.S. Attorney in Denver has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon.
CBS4 will have new details on this developing story at 10pm.
Source: CBS4Denver
DENVER (CBS4) ― CBS4 has now learned at least four people are under arrest in connection with a possible plot to kill Barack Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech in Denver. All are being held on either drug or weapons charges.
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass reported one of the suspects told authorities they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."
Law enforcement sources tell Maass that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."
The story began emerging Sunday morning when Aurora police arrested 28-year-old Tharin Gartrell. He was driving a rented pickup truck in an erratic manner according to sources.
Sources told CBS4 police found two high-powered, scoped rifles in the car along with camouflage clothing, walkie-talkies, a bulletproof vest, a spotting scope, licenses in the names of other people and methamphetamine. One of the rifles is listed as stolen from Kansas.
Subsequently authorities went to the Cherry Creek Hotel to contact an associate of Gartrell's. But that man, who was wanted on numerous warrants, jumped out of a sixth floor hotel window. Law enforcement sources say the man broke an ankle in the fall and was captured moments later. Sources say he was wearing a ring with a swastika, and is thought to have ties to white supremacist organizations.
A third man -- an associate of Gartrell and the hotel jumper was also arrested. He told authorities that the two men "planned to kill Barack Obama at his acceptance speech."
That man, along with a woman, are also under arrest.
The Secret Service, FBI, ATF and the joint terrorism task force are all investigating the alleged plot.
The U.S. Attorney in Denver has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon.
CBS4 will have new details on this developing story at 10pm.
Source: CBS4Denver
Police investigate possible plot to kill Obama at Invesco
Tharin Gartrell, 28.
Authorities are investigating a possible assassination plot against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
At least four people have been arrested in connection with a possible plot to kill Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, according to CBS4 News. The suspects are being held on either drug or weapons charges.
Aurora police arrested a longtime drug user Sunday afternoon during a routine traffic stop where the man was seen "weaving," sources said. Three possible other accomplices also were arrested, according to police.
Police found four weapons, including two rifles and two handguns, in a rented pickup.
That arrest then led authorities to a second man staying at the Cherry Creek Hotel at 600 South Colorado Blvd in Glendale. When authorities knocked on the man's door, they say he jumped out of his sixth floor window, landing on an awning and running from the scene. They say they soon found him with a broken ankle. He too was arrested.
CBS4 reported one of the suspects told authorities they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."
Law-enforcement sources told CBS4 that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."
One of the suspects has been identified as 28-year-old Tharin Gartrell.
Police found a rifle in the man's rented pickup and methamphetamine. The man allegedly made comments about Sen. Obama, but sources wouldn't say what they were.
It was enough, however, to make police believe the man might have been plotting to somehow harm Obama.
A second source told CBS4 News that they are concerned they may have come upon a possible "assassination plot."
The Secret Service, ATF and U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating.
Brian Maass of CBS4 News contributed to this report.
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Possible Obama connection in gun arrest
By Felisa Cardona
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 08/25/2008 06:49:10 PM MDT
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks to the media in Moline, Ill., Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP | Alex Brandon)Federal authorities have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon amid reports that a fortunate traffic stop by Aurora Police may have disrupted an assassination attempt against Barack Obama.
KUSA-TV is reporting that two men have been arrested on weapons charges after the traffic stop early Sunday.
The first man, identified by the station as Tharin Gartrell, 28, was charged with suspicion of being a felon in possession of a weapon after police found two rifles, a high-powered scope and methamphetamine in his car after the traffic stop.
When police accompanied Gartrell to his hotel in Glendale, a second man jumped from a window and was injured in a four-story fall, according to the station. That man was then arrested, but has not been identified by police.
Federal authorities are refusing to comment about why they believe the case is possibly tied to an assassination plot, but scheduled a news conference for 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Source: Denver Post
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 08/25/2008 06:49:10 PM MDT
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks to the media in Moline, Ill., Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP | Alex Brandon)Federal authorities have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon amid reports that a fortunate traffic stop by Aurora Police may have disrupted an assassination attempt against Barack Obama.
KUSA-TV is reporting that two men have been arrested on weapons charges after the traffic stop early Sunday.
The first man, identified by the station as Tharin Gartrell, 28, was charged with suspicion of being a felon in possession of a weapon after police found two rifles, a high-powered scope and methamphetamine in his car after the traffic stop.
When police accompanied Gartrell to his hotel in Glendale, a second man jumped from a window and was injured in a four-story fall, according to the station. That man was then arrested, but has not been identified by police.
Federal authorities are refusing to comment about why they believe the case is possibly tied to an assassination plot, but scheduled a news conference for 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Source: Denver Post
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Inside USA - Rise of hate
We travel to Arkansas and Alabama to look at the rise of race hate groups in America.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Obama may be target of racist attacks
EDINBURGH: American law enforcement agencies have expressed fear that US presidential candidate Barack Obama will be the target of a violent attack by white supremacists at the Democratic convention in Denver this month.
According to a report in the Scotsman, the concern for Obama's security is because of racist threats made against him by neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and similar groups, since he emerged as the likely Democratic presidential candidate.
"I'm not going to have to worry about him, because somebody else down south is going to take him out," said Railton Loy, Grand Wizard of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan International in an interview on Fox News.
"If that man is elected president, he'll be shot sure as hell. The hate would be so deep down south," he added.
Meanwhile, websites and blogs have also been buzzing with racist posts.
"Obama will die, KKK forever," said a post by "Rodney" on a blog run by a person identified only as Strider333. "The KKK or someone WILL assassinate Obama! If we get a N***** President all you N*****'s (sic] will think you've won and that the WHITE people will have to bow to you F*** THAT," he added.
"People on these racist and white supremacist websites are being quite careful because they know that if they make a threat they will very likely get a visit from the Secret Service," said Mark Potok, an expert on the radical right at the Southern Poverty Law enter in Montgomery, Alabama. "The scary thing out there is the lone wolf phenomenon. There are enough crazy people in this movement that it is possible one of them will decide today is the day to kick off the Aryan revolution," he added.
John Hickenlooper, the Democrat mayor of Denver, confirmed that he was aware of threats against Obama from white supremacists and other racist groups. He added that the Denver police department was working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the secret service.
"We are looking at every possibility and making sure that we have prepared for every conceivable contingency. If someone is threatening violence, we will go to great lengths to deal with that," said Hickenlooper.
Source: IndiaTimes
According to a report in the Scotsman, the concern for Obama's security is because of racist threats made against him by neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and similar groups, since he emerged as the likely Democratic presidential candidate.
"I'm not going to have to worry about him, because somebody else down south is going to take him out," said Railton Loy, Grand Wizard of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan International in an interview on Fox News.
"If that man is elected president, he'll be shot sure as hell. The hate would be so deep down south," he added.
Meanwhile, websites and blogs have also been buzzing with racist posts.
"Obama will die, KKK forever," said a post by "Rodney" on a blog run by a person identified only as Strider333. "The KKK or someone WILL assassinate Obama! If we get a N***** President all you N*****'s (sic] will think you've won and that the WHITE people will have to bow to you F*** THAT," he added.
"People on these racist and white supremacist websites are being quite careful because they know that if they make a threat they will very likely get a visit from the Secret Service," said Mark Potok, an expert on the radical right at the Southern Poverty Law enter in Montgomery, Alabama. "The scary thing out there is the lone wolf phenomenon. There are enough crazy people in this movement that it is possible one of them will decide today is the day to kick off the Aryan revolution," he added.
John Hickenlooper, the Democrat mayor of Denver, confirmed that he was aware of threats against Obama from white supremacists and other racist groups. He added that the Denver police department was working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the secret service.
"We are looking at every possibility and making sure that we have prepared for every conceivable contingency. If someone is threatening violence, we will go to great lengths to deal with that," said Hickenlooper.
Source: IndiaTimes
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Woman arrested after reportedly threatening residents with knife
From David Richie:
A parolee is in Sacramento County Main Jail, deemed ineligible for bail, after police said she went berserk in the Sayonara Drive area of Citrus Heights Wednesday afternoon and threatened several residents with what police describe as a "large fixed blade knife."
Police officers do not know what happened to trigger Susan Marie Peacock's temper. Peacock, 49, was first seen riding a bicycle near her home on Sayonara Drive. Then she approached several homes on nearby Ming Way and started screaming at the people inside, who told police that they did not know her.
Peacock then broke a front window of one home and stabbed the door several times before walking back into the middle of the street, where she reportedly screamed anti-Hispanic slurs.
Click here to find out more!
Peacock then menaced a woman who was sitting in a nearby parked car but the woman managed to get away, officials said.
When police officers arrived, Peacock dropped the knife, complied with all their commands and was taken into custody with no more trouble.
She was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, threatening people with a weapon, and parole violation.
Source: SacBee
A parolee is in Sacramento County Main Jail, deemed ineligible for bail, after police said she went berserk in the Sayonara Drive area of Citrus Heights Wednesday afternoon and threatened several residents with what police describe as a "large fixed blade knife."
Police officers do not know what happened to trigger Susan Marie Peacock's temper. Peacock, 49, was first seen riding a bicycle near her home on Sayonara Drive. Then she approached several homes on nearby Ming Way and started screaming at the people inside, who told police that they did not know her.
Peacock then broke a front window of one home and stabbed the door several times before walking back into the middle of the street, where she reportedly screamed anti-Hispanic slurs.
Click here to find out more!
Peacock then menaced a woman who was sitting in a nearby parked car but the woman managed to get away, officials said.
When police officers arrived, Peacock dropped the knife, complied with all their commands and was taken into custody with no more trouble.
She was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, threatening people with a weapon, and parole violation.
Source: SacBee
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Judge for 'Jena 6' removed
Judge for 'Jena 6' removed
RAW STORY
Published: Friday August 1, 2008
The judge overseeing the criminal cases for the remaining Jena Six defendants was removed against his will Friday for making questionable remarks about the teenagers, the Associated Press reported.
Judge J.P. Mauffray Jr. had acknowledged calling the teens "trouble makers" and "a violent bunch" but insisted he could be impartial. Defense attorneys disagreed and asked that he be removed.
The defense attorneys said the judge "had made numerous statements on numerous occasions" which indicated he had decided that at least one of the defendants was already guilty, CNN reported.
"Indeed, Judge Mauffrey has expressed his belief generally that Jesse Ray [Beard] and his African-American friends are guilty, not only of the misconduct alleged in this matter, but of several other acts of misconduct as well," according to court documents filed in the case.
Jesse Ray Beard is one of six Jena High School students arrested and initially charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a December 4, 2006, attack on fellow student Justin Barker, who is white.
Although the charges were later reduced, the cases became a national battleground for racial tensions, drawing large protests for civil rights like the one pictured above on September 20, 2007.
Earlier this year, Jena's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration was the center of a standoff between a white supremacist group and an equal opportunity group.
Attorney Dale Hickman represents Bryant Purvis, another of the Jena Six, and said it was good news that Judge Mauffrey had been taken off the cases.
Hickman said Mauffrey viewed the youths as "six thugs" and not as individuals.
Wire services contributed to this report.
Source: The Raw Story
RAW STORY
Published: Friday August 1, 2008
The judge overseeing the criminal cases for the remaining Jena Six defendants was removed against his will Friday for making questionable remarks about the teenagers, the Associated Press reported.
Judge J.P. Mauffray Jr. had acknowledged calling the teens "trouble makers" and "a violent bunch" but insisted he could be impartial. Defense attorneys disagreed and asked that he be removed.
The defense attorneys said the judge "had made numerous statements on numerous occasions" which indicated he had decided that at least one of the defendants was already guilty, CNN reported.
"Indeed, Judge Mauffrey has expressed his belief generally that Jesse Ray [Beard] and his African-American friends are guilty, not only of the misconduct alleged in this matter, but of several other acts of misconduct as well," according to court documents filed in the case.
Jesse Ray Beard is one of six Jena High School students arrested and initially charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a December 4, 2006, attack on fellow student Justin Barker, who is white.
Although the charges were later reduced, the cases became a national battleground for racial tensions, drawing large protests for civil rights like the one pictured above on September 20, 2007.
Earlier this year, Jena's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration was the center of a standoff between a white supremacist group and an equal opportunity group.
Attorney Dale Hickman represents Bryant Purvis, another of the Jena Six, and said it was good news that Judge Mauffrey had been taken off the cases.
Hickman said Mauffrey viewed the youths as "six thugs" and not as individuals.
Wire services contributed to this report.
Source: The Raw Story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
