Metropolitan Community Churches Statement on "The Jena 6"
"The civil rights demonstration in Louisiana scheduled
for September 20th is now expected to become a celebration of
prophetic witness over bigotry and racial animosity," MCC leader says.
Public Statement by
Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
September 15, 2007
As the world marked the anniversary of the 9-11 events that deepened racially and religiously motivated divisions within the United States, The Fellowship Churches, under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Yvette Flunder, and Metropolitan Community Churches issued a joint statement pledging to heal some of those historic wounds by working together for unity within the body of Christ.
Less than a week later, we lift our voices together in praise and to join in celebrating the power of common witness.
On Friday, the Louisiana 3rd Court of Appeals reversed what many – from the ACLU to the Congressional Black Caucus to ordinary citizens of all races who took to the streets – regarded as the "harsh" and unjust conviction of teenage defendant, Mychal Bell. Bell, a student and star athlete at Jena High School, and a person of African descent, was brought to trial following escalating tensions in the small, central Louisiana town of Jena. Those tensions began when a black student sat under a tree that students claimed was for "whites only." The next day, three white youth tied nooses in the schoolyard tree. In response, black students sat in silent protest under the tree. Despite the peaceful protest, simmering tensions erupted in student altercations. The subsequent prosecution focused only on the actions of youth of color, who were charged with attempted murder, while other actions by white students, such as the hanging of nooses, were dismissed as "adolescent pranks." Six black youth were arrested, including Bell; the group became known as "The Jena 6." {For a synopsis of the full case, visit www.jena6.vesana.com/takeaction.}
Today, as a direct result of the pressure of many individuals and groups, including the more than 20,000 petitioners who sent emails and letters to the Governor of Louisiana asking for intervention, the convictions of Mychal Bell, tried as an adult, have been reversed and vacated.
We are grateful for the courage and witness of the State Appeals Court judge who ruled that Mychal's case should have been handled in juvenile court. We are grateful for the voices of countless people, including those in The Fellowship and MCC, who spoke up, wrote letters and offered prayers for justice.
The national (U.S.) civil rights demonstration in Jena scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2007, the day Mychal was to be sentenced, is now expected to become a celebration of prophetic witness over bigotry and racial animosity.
"The crisis is not yet over," cautioned The Rev. Jessie Jackson, in reference to the remaining five youth yet to have their cases addressed. But everything began to change he said, when public pressure flooded in.
"The strength of our unity is demonstrated in moments such as this when interfaith and nonfaith communities alike can come together for a common cause and social justice prevail," said Pastor Troy Sanders, speaking for our colleagues at The Fellowship.
Speaking for MCC and our global movement for justice, I, too, want to give thanks to God for this moment of grace. I hope it will serve as a reminder of what people praying for a common cause and acting together can accomplish. I hope that all the members and friends of MCC and The Fellowship, as well as members of the wider body of Christ, will join me in continuing to pray for justice for Mychal's classmates. Pray for Mychal and his community, black and white, that their hearts may heal from the wounds and scars animosity and hatred breed. Pray for all of our hearts to be cleansed of all the things we allow to separate us from each other, and ultimately from the healing and reconciling presence of Christ.
I urge all of us to be vigilant in continuing to monitor this case at the link listed above and to notify the Global Justice Team of MCC at GlobalJusticeTeam@MCCchurch.net with new developments and calls for action.
Finally I hope and pray that some of us will be able to be present in Jena for the celebration of the power of standing together.
+Nancy
The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
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