Jena Six Roll Call, Jena Louisiana 2007 - Wall Poster

Jena Six Roll Call, Louisiana — 2007

This photograph documents the Jena Six protests in 2007, a pivotal moment in civil rights activism. The case involved six Black teenagers from Jena, Louisiana charged with attempted murder following a school altercation that occurred amid documented racial tensions, including the placement of nooses at the school. The severity of charges against the teenagers, perceived as disproportionate compared to similar incidents involving white students, sparked national outrage and raised concerns about systemic racial injustice within the criminal justice system.

The massive demonstration shown here, with thousands of supporters traveling to Jena by bus, became emblematic of broader activism against unequal treatment of Black youth in the justice system. The case mobilized national attention to issues of racial discrimination and remains a significant reference point in contemporary discussions of systemic inequality in America.