Thousands expected to march in Jena on Thursday to protest charges . Appeals court does not set a date for hearing a motion to release Mychal Bell . Told by the vice principal they could sit wherever they pleased , the student and his pals sat under the sprawling branches of the shade tree in the campus courtyard . The case has drawn national attention and sparked protests across the country. Tension at Jena High flared when white students hung nooses from campus tree .
Thousands expected to march in Jena on Thursday to protest charges . Appeals court does not set a date for hearing a motion to release Mychal Bell . The case has drawn national attention and sparked protests across the country. Tension at Jena High flared when white students hung nooses from campus tree .