After partial victory, momentum builds for Jena 6

Alan Bean, executive director of Friends of Justice, the Texas-based faith group credited with shining the spotlight on the Jena 6, hailed the ruling but warned that “it’s still an uphill struggle” for justice.

Bean attended a court hearing in Jena, Sept. 17, expecting the judge to order Bell released from the jail where he has been held since last December, unable to raise the $90,000 bail.

But LaSalle Parish District Judge J.P. Mauffray refused to release Bell. “From that hearing, or ‘non-hearing,’ it appears that Mychal will still be incarcerated at the time of our rally here in Jena,” Bean told the World in a telephone interview. “Our hope was that Mychal would be there with us and we would celebrate with him and his family.”

Instead of a celebration, Bean said, the demonstration will resound with demands that Bell be released and charges be dropped against the Jena 6.