The story about the assault and suspend of black students was covered for WLBT by Roslyn Anderson (Roslyn@wlbt.com).  “Hearing Postponed for Expelled Students” can be found at WLBT’s website at http://wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?s=6352908.  The WLBT posting shows that both the ACLU and the NAACP have requested that the U. S. Attorney’s office and the Secretary of State’s office investigate the events.  You can find three articles on the story written for the Clarion Ledger by Rebecca Helmes (rhelmes@jackson.gannett.com):  “Suspended Students Still Held out of Class” was posted on April 18, 2001, “Hearing Set for Suspended Walthall Students” which was posted on April 26, 2007, and “Hearing Held for Walthall Students” was posted on May 3, 2007.  All three can be found on the Clarion Ledger website with an advanced search, but once you find their abstracts, you must purchase each article.  Or, you can find the articles at the Mississippi Center for Justice website at http://www.mscenterforjustice.org/begin.html.

“Suspended Students still Held out of Class”
http://www.mscenterforjustice.org/WalthallApril18.swf

“Hearing Set for Suspended Walthall Students”
http://www.mscenterforjustice.org/HearingsetforsuspendedWalthall.swf

“Hearing Held for Walthall Students”
http://www.mscenterforjustice.org/Shakti.Walthall.May3.swf

As far as follow-up, the African American students were placed in alternative school for the remainder of the school year, but will be allowed to return to their regular school in the upcoming fall semester.  Their parents are represented by noted civil rights attorney Carlton Reeves, and their hearing has been postponed.  The hearing was probably postponed once the campus video tape showed that the parents did not participate in any altercation at the school.  Dexter Attendance Center Principal Jerry Piget has resigned, and Walthall County Schools Superintendent Greg Ellzey has decided not to seek re-election.  I cannot say as to whether or not either’s decision is directly related to the assault of the black children.  The NAACP is set to meet with the Department of Justice in the next couple of weeks to determine if federal/civil rights charges will be filed against the bus driver and the district.  For other questions, contact the NAACP or attorney Carlton Reeves.

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*McInnis is the author of seven books and the former editor of Black Magnolias Literary Journal.  He can be contacted through Psychedelic Literature, 203 Lynn Lane, Clinton, MS  39056, (601) 925-1281.