Buisnesses To Close Down For Thursdays Jena 6 Rally

JENA -- The prospect of thousands marching through the streets of Jena has caused concern for many of the small community's residents.

One business owner said she is thinking of boarding up her windows. Another is closing up shop and spending the day far away from downtown. One woman said a group that big, no matter how well intentioned, could easily cause chaos.

Tina Norris, owner of the downtown Café Martin, said the restaurant will be closed Thursday solely because of the rally, which is scheduled to take place just a few blocks away

"Of course we'll lose money," she said Monday during the bustling lunch rush. "But we don't know what else to do. No one has given us any direction, told us what to do.

"We don't know how many are going to be here, what kind of an attitude they are going to have. It has created all kinds of worries," she said.

Norris said she is going to "lock up, go home and stay out of the way." She said she is thinking about boarding up the large plate-glass windows at the restaurant.

No one really knows just how many people will be in Jena that day, although thousands have already pledged their presence from across the country via bus reservations. Some estimates are as low as 5,000, while others have said more than 40,000 will make their way to Jena in support of the "Jena Six."

Kirby Jones of South Side Service in Jena said the business is shutting its doors Thursday.

"We won't get traffic through here or get any business -- all it would be is people coming in to use the bathroom," Jones said of why the service station is closing.

Jones and another man lease the gas and service station, which is along the nearly two-mile route planned for those marching to the LaSalle Parish Courthouse.

Organizers are encouraging those coming into Jena to boycott local businesses anyway, he said. Many planning to make the trek, such as Martha McFerren of St. Louis, have vowed to follow those instructions.

"We going to bring in things like water and food so we don't have to support the community," she said. "We don't want to support this community as a way to express our concern for the way it is treating some of its residents. All we are asking for is fair treatment for everyone."
Jones said he thinks all of the outsiders coming in for the rally are unnecessary.

"This thing has been blown all out of proportion," he said. "Most people in this community have a good relationship with everybody. We've never had problems here."

The community of Jena, Jones stressed, is a good one that has been given a bad name. The town has problems like everywhere, he said, but it isn't at all like what has been portrayed nationally.

Although those organizing the rally have stressed that it will be a peaceful one, some are still fearful that some protesters may come with a different attitude.

Sandra Jones of Jena said she thinks that those marching and rallying are supporting a good cause, but she said she hopes those coming will be respectful of her community.

"The black people in Jena, we still have to live here after all of them are done and gone home," she said. "I just hope everyone comes in a positive way and doesn't make it hard for us that live here.

"A lot of people are scared because Jena has never gone through something like this. We are just all hoping that everyone comes peacefully and no one tries to start any trouble," she said.

Jones acknowledged racism in Jena but said it's no different than anywhere else.

"Racism is everywhere," she said. "It's not just Jena, and it's not like people are saying it is. I just hope that everyone that comes here -- all the leaders and all the activists -- accomplish what they came to do and have a peaceful time."

Many in the community, Jones said, think Thursday will be about rioting. Norris said she too had heard that some were coming to riot and cause trouble.

Jones said she still hasn't decided if she's going to go to Thursday's rally. The cause is a noble one, she said, but she is still a little leery about the number of people predicted.

"I just pray for the best," she said.