Jena 6's Mycal Bell Conviction Overturned

After months of widespread criticism, the conviction of Mychal Bell was finally overturned. Bell, 16, was convicted of a reduced charge of aggravated battery. The state appeals court recently tossed out the aggravated battery conviction that could have sent Bell who was tried as an adult to prison for 15 years.

Initially the Jena 6 faced attempted second-degree murder charges in connection with the beating of a white student even though the white boy's injuries were so minor that he went to a social event the same evening.

For those who have not heard, the story of the Jena 6 began in September 2006, when black high school students sat under a school yard tree that had been effectively reserved for white students. The next day, three nooses hung from the branches. The incident was dismissed by school officials as a prank.

Later in December, a black student was beaten by white students at an off-campus party. One student in that attack was charged with a misdemeanor. The next day at school, a group of black students attacked a white boy who had taunted them with racial slurs, supported the white students who hung the noose and backed the white students who had beaten the black boy at an off-campus party.

The white district attorney who at one point told the students he could end their lives with a stroke of his pen is still looking to prosecute Bell and the rest of the Jena 6 as juveniles. So we should not let this victory deter all of us who plan to show our support of the 6 kids on Thursday, September 20th. For everyone who will be making the bus trips to Jena please keep your plans and if you can not make it to Louisiana please remember to wear black on the 20th to show your support for these young teens in need.

If we don't who will?