Students walk out over Jena 6 case

Nearly 40 students assembled on the Psychology Quad at noon Monday to join in a national walkout demanding justice for the Jena 6.

The call to walk out came from the Malcom X Grassroots Movement and artist/activist Mos Def.

The students gathered in a circle on the quad to discuss some of the injustices that they say minorities are still suffering at Cal State Long Beach.

"This is social injustice," said the leader of the walkout, who would only identify himself as Tessema G. "It's a national feeling. We're here in solidarity."

Students discussed police confrontation, lack of freedom to use their native languages, discrimination within members of the same race and stories about roommate situations.

"I believe the object of [the] demonstration far outweighed my presence in class," said Jesus Iniguez, a senior Chicano and Latino studies student, who missed class to take part in the walkout. "I feel that solidarity between students is very important."

The walkout was a protest for the Jena 6 case, where six black students were arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder after beating a white student in the small town of Jena, La.

The beating came after tension grew when students hung nooses under a tree known as a "white hangout" after a black student sat there. The students who hung the nooses were suspended for three days.

With signs and chants such as "no justice, no peace," students walked from the Psychology Quad through the Friendship Walk and back to the Psychology Quad.

There were a few students who just stood back and witnessed the demonstration.

"I don't know what really happened," said Justin Smith, a senior engineering major. "There are so many things that are blown out of proportion. If students walk out for every issue, there would be a walkout every day."