“Justice.Guess she’s not so blind after all” read a sign yesterday at the Jena Six march.

The Jena Six are six black males in Jena, La. who were charged of attempted murder for beating a white male student that was knocked unconscious. It was said the incident started when a couple of white male students hung nooses from a tree on Jena High School’s campus aimed at the black students.

The Eastern chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sponsored the march.

Markiana Jackson, junior biology major and vice president of the chapter, said the march was to raise awareness of racism and to support the males involved in the Jena Six.

Students came out and showed their support by wearing all black and holding signs that read “Support Jena Six,” and “Justice for Peace.”

During the march, the NAACP took donations for the Jena Six cause.

Chae Frederick, a sophomore psychology major, decided to donate money while watching the students pass by during the march.

“I heard the story and I feel rage,” Frederick said.

Frederick said there was no reason for the males in Jena to receive such a punishment because the six young men were provoked to take actions into their own hands.

Katherine Zike, adviser for the Black Student Union, said she was stunned about what is going on in Jena and hopes that everything will be resolved soon.

“This is a great cause the students are doing by coming out and showing their support,” she said.

After the march around campus was over, students and faculty went to 7th Street Underground to congregate and talk about issues such as racism.

Student Body President Cole Rogers said he hopes movements like the Jena Six continue. “Movements, talking, communicating with one another, and education is what is going to make a difference,” he said

Karen Armour, a dietetics graduate student, got up and spoke a few words at the meeting.

“I was encouraged when I saw all the people who had came out and promoted a social change that is imperative to do so in today’s society,” she said.

Maggie Burkhead, adviser for the NAACP chapter told students what took place was very important.

“We need to encourage and educate others about what is going on,” she said.

Some people do not know what is going on in Jena, Burkhead said.

Burkhead wants the students to understand the importance of the march, and how things will change for the better.

“I hope the students as well as the faculty continue their support in the Jena Six,” she said.

EIU students march around campus in support of the Jena 6. The march took place on Sept. 20 to raise awareness about the on going battle with racism. Karolina Strack/The Daily Eastern News

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