CenLamar | Est. 2006

  • Questioning The Context Of The Story: Was This Really Six On One?

    THE JENA SIX IS NOT a story about six African-American students assaulting one white student. It is a story about six African-American students allegedly assaulting one white student. During this avalanche of media coverage about the massive peaceful protest, this has been the one crucial point missing from many of the descriptions of an incident that the world is now talking about. For many, this may be a minor point, a rhetorical clarification, but in this case, it is important to remember, because the burden of proof is on the district attorney and not on the six young men accused…

  • Alexandria in Danger of Mischaracterization by Mainstream Media

    by Daniel T. Smith The miscarriage of prosecutorial justice and subsequent peace protest in Jena, Louisiana has now officially been crowned a major national news story. The prosecution of the Jena Six is only beginning, relatively speaking, and that it is now being featured by CNN in primetime specials this weekend speaks to its staying power. Americans interested in social justice are paying close attention to ensure that LaSalle Parish and the State of Louisiana will not over-prosecute—or convict on insufficient evidence—any of the individuals accused with injuring fellow student Justin Barker. Friday evening on Anderson Cooper 360, guest hosted…

  • Grant Parish Teenagers Drive Into Alexandria With Nooses Strung From Vehicle At Conclusion of Massive Peaceful Protest

        AFTER THE THOUSANDS of peace activists caravaned out of Jena, Louisiana yesterday afternoon, many of them attended a second rally in Downtown Alexandria.   Alexandria is not Jena, which is why event organizers shifted their peaceful demonstration to Alexandria, after symbolically marching in Jena earlier in the day. The event in Alexandria was attended by a delegation of political representatives, civil rights activists, and American citizens from all across the nation. Rev. Al Sharpton conducted his nationally-syndicated radio show from the steps of Alexandria City Hall. The event was orderly, the mood was positive, and there was not…