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ANALYSIS OF THE JENA 6 VERSUS THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS 7
* The Issues
*The Leadership
*The Similarities
*Local to National Reaction
*The Challenges
*The Benefits
*The Long Term Impact
*The Economic and Political Impact
*The Safety and Security Challenges
WHO: Mark S. Allen, Associate Editor, The South Street Journal Newspaper in Chicago. (55,000 weekly circulation.
Veteran community/political activist with over 32 years in public service on local, state, and national levels, including 7 years as a national staff member to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Mark S. Allen was arrested with Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr during the demonstrations in Decatur, Illinois several years ago. Allen was the staff member who eventually helped organize the Decatur Rainbow/PUSH Chapter, first being assigned by Rev. James Meeks and Rev. Jackson to go to Decatur to investigate the discipline of 7 Black students at a 17 second high school fight.
The investigation turned into a national civil rights issue that brought thousands of people marching through Decatur and at one point required "nightly" rallies of a few hundred to face the many challenges that came from addressing this issue, including death threats. The campaign resulted in changes in race relations, local and state education policies, legislation, personal and professional relationships and more !!!
How does the Decatur story relate to today's Jena 6 challenge? There is a lot to tell !! Mark S. Allen is uniquely qualified to offer analysis and insight.
REAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON THIS LATEST CHALLENGE TO OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP !!
Posted By: Mark Allen
Thursday, September 20th 2007 at 8:53PM
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