From Baton Rouge to Jena

Advocate staff photo by LIZ CONDO Southern University students Javen Smith, from left, Mary Davis, Willie Mae Leonard and Sherika Evans shield candles from the wind during a candlelight vigil Sept. 11 in support of the ‘Jena 6’ outside of the university’s student union. The students joined with community members to observe a moment of silence and light six candles, each representing one of the Jena High School students facing charges in a racially charged fight.

LSU student Shanelle Matthews, president of the Conscious Black Society, arranged for two buses to take students to a rally Thursday in Jena to support six black Jena High School students whom activists say were harshly punished for a December school fight.