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Dear Mr. Baisden,
As a member of ColorOfChange.org, I am appalled at your implications that they have misappropriated money and acted against the wishes of the Jena 6 families. These assertions are ridiculous, inappropriate, and untrue.
* You implied that money raised by ColorOfChange has not been distributed properly. If you go to http://colorofchange.org/jena/baisden/, you can see cancelled checks proving funds were sent directly to the legal teams.
*You implied that the families have not authorized ColorOfChange to raise money for their sons' legal defense. At the link above, you can see letters from the parents authorizing the transfer of money to legal teams.
* You stated that you have a letter signed by "all the families" of the Jena 6 regarding fundraising on their behalf. At the link above, you can see an email Robert Bailey's mother sent to your staff, asking for a copy of that letter, which she never signed.
ColorOfChange.org is committed to amplifying the political voice of Black Americans and their allies. All of us have worked hard for justice for the Jena 6. ColorOfChange members have raised over $200,000 for legal defense, have sent over 300,000 emails to Governor Blanco and DA Reed Walters, and have sent over 5,000 complaints about DA Walters to the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board. For you to undermine their work, by maligning their fundraising efforts and the character of their Executive Director, threatens the movement for equal justice that you claim to support.
ColorOfChange.org has responded to your attacks very thoroughly on their website, and worked hard to communicate with you about these issues over the last few months. I am disappointed and angered that with so much clear information available to you, you chose to invite and assist in baseless attacks.
ColorOfChange is an important asset in the fight for equal justice. The staff of ColorOfChange.org are helping me and the rest of their 400,000 members take positive action to improve our community. It seems clear that you have made a dangerous and irresponsible mistake by attacking them. You should immediately apologize for maligning this organization and risking damage to their future efforts.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Cc: ABC Radio Networks/Citadel Broadcasting
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