Sub Region IV Academic Retreat in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Please Wear Black Today in Support of the Jena Six Rally in Jena, Louisiana.

The National Black Law Students Association Calls For Justice in the Jena Six Case

In past weeks and months we have watched events unfold in Jena, Louisiana with heavy hearts. In response to a racial incident arising from nooses being hung from a tree at the local high school, a group of six African-American students got into a fight with a white student, who allegedly had been racially taunting black students in support of the students who hung the nooses. Allegedly, the white student was taken to the hospital treated, released, and reportedly attended a social function later that evening.

While the National Black Law Students Association does not condone violence, the actions of the Jena District Attorney and the Judge in this case have amounted to a gross miscarriage of justice. The six African-American students involved in the altercation were initially charged with attempted second degree murder. On the morning of the trial, the District Attorney reduced the charges from attempted second degree murder to second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy. Aggravated battery in Louisiana law demands the attack be with a dangerous weapon. The prosecutor was allowed to argue to the jury that the tennis shoes worn by Mychal Bell, one of the defendants, could be considered a dangerous weapon.

Therefore, the National Black Law Student urges the Judge to consider all the factors surrounding these events during sentencing of Mychal Bell, the first of the six students to be tried. Additionally, we appeal to the Jena District Attorney, Reed Walters, to drop the charges against the remaining five students.

We are also calling on the Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr to intervene in the Jena Six case to ensure that the defendants’ constitutional right to a fair trial is ensured. The National Black Law Students Association is working with the ACLU of Louisiana to provide pro bono assistance to Mychal Bell and the other defendants in the Jena Six case.

You can contribute to this cause in a variety of ways such as:

1) Traveling to Jena, Louisiana on September 20th for a large protest against conviction of Mychal Bell. This event coincides with the National Academic Retreat in New Orleans and NBLSA may be able to help coordinate transportation to Jena from New Orleans. If you are interested in attending this event please contact Jared Boyd at

2) Writing a letter to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and State Attorney General
Charles C. Foti, Jr to intervene in the Jena Six case. A letter can be emailed to Governor Blanco at contact@la.gov and the State Attorney General can be contacted at Executive@ag.state.la.us.

3) You can also sign a petition demanding justice in the Jena Six case athttp://colorofchange.org/jena/.

Barry University's Black Law Student Association's Ol Skool Fish Fry

Barry University's School of Law
Black Law Student Association is Welcoming Their Students Back with an "Ol Skool" Fish Fry on September 28, 2007.

• There will be live music and a family fun environment.
• The event begins at 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Barry University's Courtyard.
  
• The address is 6441 East Colonial Dr. , Orlando, FL, 32807.

National Conference of Bankruptcy Judge’s Law Student Outreach Project Hosted by Florida A&M University College of Law

Please RSVP to cmc_ohsbmail@ohsb.uscourts.gov by September 21, 2007.

SRBLSA is Looking for Two Corporate Relations Specialists

The Southern Region is looking for two driven indiviuals who would like to serve on our executive board. Corporate Relations Specialist is an appointed position.

• Are you interested in joinging the Southern Region of the National Black Law Student Association?
• Are you a member of you Black Law Student Association Chapter?
• Do you have experience in building relationships and solicitng?

• Specialists are in charge of helping the Corporate Relations Co-Chairs with overseeing all fundraising on behalf of the SRBLSA.
• Specifically, assist Convention Co-Coordinators in seeking sponsors for the 37th Regional Convention, the Editor-N-Chief of the Law Journal in seeking sponsors for the law Journal, and Regional Chairs in seeking sponsors for the Academic Retreats.
• Applicants should have pervious fundraising experience (preferably for an organization) and good time management, along with sales or marketing experience.
• Specialist will be able to gain valuable experience in networking, public relations, fundraising, and the inter-workings of the SRBLSA organization.

All applicants must submit a letter of intent, good academic standing, and a resume by September 16, 2007. Please forward information to Sheryl Montour at sherylmontour@gmail.com .Please email all questions regarding this position to Sheryl Montour.