Victories

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Kelley Williams-Bolar Granted Clemency by Ohio Gov. John Kasich
185,249 Supporters | September 2011
Started by C. Lord in Criminal Justice

Ohio Gov. John Kasich on September 7 reduced the charges against Kelley Williams-Bolar, a single African-American mother jailed and convicted of a felony earlier this year for enrolling her children in a school district in which she did not live.

The news came after more than 184,000 Change.org members emailed Kasich’s office in support of Williams-Bolar since January of this year, when her conviction sparked a viral campaign on Change.org created by Massachusetts resident Caitlin Lord (read Lord's account of why she started the petition).

Alongside African-American citizen coalition ColorOfChange.org, Change.org members from around the country called Kasich’s office on Tuesday, September 6, urging him to pardon Williams-Bolar. Ohio’s Parole Board had recommended that Williams-Bolar not receive a reduction in sentencing.

"Kelley is overjoyed by the Governor's decision," said David Singleton, executive director of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and Williams-Bolar's attorney. "She would like to thank all of her supporters who were called to action through Change.org and ColorOfChange.org."