At noon on Thursday, September 20, 2007 Kansas City joined the rest of the nation as rallies were held to protest the judicial action taken in the case of six black young men, "the Jena Six," arrested for involvement in a fight with white men in Jena, Louisiana.

Sixteen year old Mychal Bell was convicted in the case, though disposition of the remaining five is pending. None of the white students involved has been charged.

The incident enraged black communities throughout the country, sparking a nationwide protest of racial bias in Jena.

Using websites and black radio media, communities banded together and organized protests within their cities. Caravans of buses and cars traveled to Jena to stage a national protest.

The Kansas City rally, organized by anti-crime activist Ron McMillan, was held at the Spirit of Freedom Fountain, at Benton and Emanuel Cleaver Boulevards.

"We appreciate everyone who is here today," McMillan shouted through a bullhorn. "This was put together at the last minute. These young men were standing up for what they believed in."

In addition to the many media and political figures in attendance, Alonzo Washington, known for his involvement in the solving of the "Precious Doe" case, was present.

"We are talking about media coverage and justice for profit," said Washington.

He also stressed that blacks have buying power. "There is a General Mills factory in the town which had a noose hanging there too, and they didn’t have a problem. Let’s not buy anything from General Mills for a month to send a message," said Washington.

"This blew up on the internet," he continued. "That's why we have to be able to get out our own messages. You can try to silence a voice, but not a whole group."

Several persons stepped up to speak up through the bullhorn. A representative of KPRS-FM announced that radio celebrity Eric Wesson was broadcasting live from Jena, and that there would be a re-broadcast September 29 on KPRT-AM radio.

The hour-long protest ended with a prayer and literature distribution. A second protest, sponsored by the students at Shawnee Mission High School, was held at 3pm same day at the J.C. Nichols Fountain on the Country Club Plaza.

Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College