US | Jena 6 Thousands March for 'Jena 6' Protesters flood town to blast treatment of black students By Max Brallier Posted Sep 21, 2007 4:20 AM CDT Copied Protesters hold hands while praying outside of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 in Jena, La. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Associated Press) As many as 20,000 demonstrators flooded the streets of the tiny Louisiana town of Jena yesterday to protest the treatment of the "Jena 6"— the black high school students charged with felonies after the beating last year of a white student. An appeals court at midday ordered a hearing within 72 hours to determine if the lone teen still behind bars can be released. Despite the recent events, many Jena residents say that there is no racial divide in their town. "We get along fine. This is something that got out of proportion," said one. The beating at Jena High School occurred three months after white students hung nooses from a tree on school grounds. The white students were briefly suspended. Read These Next What we know about Savannah Guthrie's missing mother. Sarah Ferguson said she cut off Epstein. Not quite, emails show. The voice behind 'Joy to the World' has died at 83. Turning Point reveals lineup for its alternative halftime show. Report an error