Bell’s Release On Bail Welcomed By Supporters

      (Taylor Media Services) Last Thursday’s release of imprisoned “Jena Six” teenager Mychal Bell demonstrated the impact mass mobilizations and demonstrations can have on high profile social issues and possibly social policy. Bell had been the only one of the six Black teens convicted and sitting in jail for allegedly beating a white teen last December in the racially charged community of Jena, Louisiana. 
       Although facing 15 years in prison, Bell’s conviction was overturned by an appeals court which ruled the then 16-year-old should not have been tried as an adult. He remained in jail because his family was unable to come up with the $90,000 bond. But when the prosecutor, who originally charged Bell with attempted murder for beating the white youth, announced he would not challenge the appeals court decision, the bail was reduced to $45,000. 
      An estimated 15,000 protesters brought national media attention to the case. But the case is not over. The prosecutor announced Thursday he will re-file the charges against Bell in juvenile court. The other five defendants still await trial. 

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