The participants in yesterday’s march on Jena can be forgiven for thinking that their MLK-inspired, non-violent appeal for justice would result in Mychal Bell being released from prison today. Alas, the only thing swift about the justice they sought was the judge’s decision to remand him back to his cell…without bail.
Of course, it probably did not help that Bell’s lawyers began today’s hearing, which was ordered by Louisiana’s 3rd Circuit Appellate Court only yesterday, by seeking to oust the presiding judge, J. P. Mauffray, from the case. After all, the moment seemed ripe to appeal for equal (racial) justice by tapping into what little regard he might have for our shared humanity.
Instead, Bell’s lawyers argued that Mauffray is too blind by racism to preside over today’s hearing. Unfortunately, an “independent” judge rejected their argument – leaving Mauffray to rule on Bell’s request to be freed on bail.
Meanwhile, no one dares challenge Mauffray’s warning that anyone who speaks to the media about the proceedings in his courtroom will be held in contempt. (Although, the irony is not lost on me that today’s hearing was held in secret because the appellate ruled that Bell should be treated like a juvenile after all.) Nevertheless, the sight of his mother leaving the courthouse virtually prostrate in tears spoke volumes.
For now, Bell’s detention remains indefinite, and his legal fate uncertain….
Yet, perhaps we can all derive some consolation from the way Louisiana authorities handled the rednecks who drove by with a noose hanging from their truck as black marchers were boarding buses to leave town last night. Because, unlike the white students who hanged nooses from that tree at Jena High School, these noose-hanging, KKK-wannabes were summarily arrested and charged with “driving while intoxicated and inciting to riot”.
Moreover, here’s how Mayor Jacques Roy of Alexandria, Louisiana, which served as a staging area for the march to nearby Jena, commented to CNN about this second noose incident:
The march was the most peaceful event…not an arrest….It was the most moving experience of my life in public service….This [hanging nooses] is not indicative of the city where I live….No one can take this moment away from us.
Now let’s see if the perpetrators of this hate crime will spend as much time behind bars as Mychal Bell has.
We shall overcome….
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March on Jena…
*Published originally Friday, 21 September at 5:24 PM
Jena 6, Mychal Bell
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