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| Town of Jena Louisiana P.O. Box 26 2908 East Oak St. Jena, La. 71342 Phone: 318-992-2148 Fax: 318-992-8127 townofjena@centurytel.net TOWN COUNCIL Carl Newburg David Paul Jones Donnie Kendrick Donny Richardson Tommy Sandifer CLERK Cory Floyd SUPERINTENDENT Don Jones .............................................................. |
"I view with deep concern the release of the latest
song and video from singer/songwriter John Mellencamp entitled "Jena." After
careful consideration, I feel compelled to make a statement about the content
and images of this video." "The town of Jena has for months been mischaracterized in the media and portrayed as the epicenter of hatred, racism and a place where justice is denied. I have remained silent to a degree hoping that our courtesy and kindness to many who have visited Jena in the last year would speak for itself. However, the Mellencamp video is so inflammatory, so defamatory, that a line has been crossed and enough is enough." "As a person who reads history, I am saddened to see tragic images of lynchings, of the Ku Klux Klan, of the violent demonstrations of the 1960's where people trying to register to vote were beaten and fire-hosed, all superimposed over the lyrics "Jena." Furthermore, I am dismayed to see the faces of Prisident John F. Kennedy and the Reverend Martin Luther King, who died at the hands of assassins, superimposed over images of Jena. The impression is given that the tragic events of 50 years ago are happening today in our town. This is untrue and grossly unfair to not only the citizens of Jena, but to truth and historic accuracy." "To put the incident in Jena in the same league as those who were murdered in the 1960's cheapens their sacrifice and insults their memory." "I do not want to diminish the impressions that hanging of the nooses has had on good people. I do recognize that what happened is insulting and hurtful." "Just last Tuesday, I asked our city council to approve the formation of a community relations panel in Jena. I want to know about any problems we may have and find solutions to correct them. The town council unanimously approved my request and I am actively seeking members of the community to participate in this groundbreaking study." "Our reputation as a community of fair-minded and decent people is on the line. We are being tried and convicted in the media, and it is time that I challenge anyone who has a negative opinion of us to come to Jena and meet us before uttering defamatory and harmful statements. -END-
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