Web site targets Jena 6 families

The age of cyberlynching is upon us. The FBI is looking at a white supremacist Web site that lists the addresses of the Jena 6 -- or at least five of the six black youths accused by a Louisiana district attorney of beating a white classmate. The site "essentially called for their lynching," an agency spokeswoman said Saturday, AP reports.

Sheila Thorne, an agent in the FBI's New Orleans office, said the FBI had "gathered intelligence on the matter," but was still reviewing whether the site is illegal.

The site features a swastika, frequent use of racial slurs, a mailing address in Roanoke, Va., and phone numbers for some of the teens' families "in case anyone wants to deliver justice."

"These people need more than an investigation. They need protection," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said. "This is a test for the disposition of the Department of Justice to serve as an intervenor and a deterrent" to hate crimes and discrimination, Jackson said. He said federal marshals should protect the families.

The AP attempted to contact William A. "Bill" White, listed as the Web site's editor and commander of the American National Socialist Workers Party, but he didn't respond to an email. There are two William Whites listed in Roanoke; one said he was not involved with the site, the other number didn't answer.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Saturday that harassing families "cannot and will not be tolerated."

"Public attacks on private citizens done out of ignorance and hatred is appalling, and anyone who stoops to such unspeakable persecution will be investigated and subject to the full penalty of law," she said in a statement.