Member of 'Jena Six' speaks out on race and the justice system 15 years later
ABC News
The charges against the Jena Six prompted allegations of racial discrimination in the justice system.
Bryant Purvis was just 17 when he became a part of the "Jena Six."
He and five other Black teens were accused and later convicted of attacking a white student at a high school in Jena, Louisiana, a town with a large majority of white residents, after a series of racially charged incidents there.
The case against the teens became for many a symbol of racial discrimination in the justice system -- attempted murder charges for what supporters called a schoolyard fight. The charges were later dramatically reduced.
Purvis, now 32, maintains he was not involved in the fight. He has since dedicated his time talking to students about racial injustice as a motivational speaker. He also authored the book, "My Story as a Jena 6," in 2015, but is now focused on his future beyond the "Jena Six" label.
