Chicagoans march, rally in Jena, La.

September 21, 2007 (WLS) -- Dozens of demonstrators returned to Chicago Friday after taking part in a civil rights march in the small town of Jena, Louisiana.

Thousands of protesters descended on that small Louisiana town Thursday to rally against what they see as a case of unfair treatment for six black teens charged with beating a classmate in a racial charged incident.

The Chicago contingent of those who ventured to that small Louisiana town returned about 10 a.m. Friday. They braved a 17-hour bus ride to participate in what they call the support of the Jena Six.

Now, some would say that their trek down south was about a response to what some are calling blatant racism. Others would say it's about the revival of the civil rights movement. They returned feeling triumphant.

Amid the greetings come more calls for justice for the Jena Six and the renewal of the civil rights movement.

"It was just thrilling to see my students feel empowered and see that they actually can act," said Sarah Brown , high school teacher.

"That particular thing to happen with the six young black men, it was just life experience. I mean, it moved me. I would have did the same thing," said Bryant Spencer, high school student. Tens of thousands marched in support of 17-year-old Michael Bell and five other teens charged with an attack on a white student. The fight stemmed from an incident months before when nooses were placed in a tree at the school by a group of white students.

Those participating in rallies around the city and the march said the charges were unfair.

"We should be able to live our lives without people hanging nooses on trees and terrorizing us," said Jokarhi Shakur-el, Black Panther party.

"One of the wonderful things about participating in this is that it was a remarkable example of how we can come together around one issue," said Brenda Thompson, march participant.

Some would say that the work is not over: Bell, of course, is still being held. They managed to raise about $9,000 in bail money, hoping to be able to get him a hearing and get him released.

Congress is also about to get in on the act. The house judiciary committee said they will begin to look at what some are calling the disparity in treatment between the group of white students and the group of African-American students and how those charges were leveled.

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