165,000 Tell Ohio Governor Kasich: Pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar

by Carol Scott · 2011-02-07 15:18:00 UTC
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Your voice counts.

If you've ever doubted that, you should have been in Columbus, Ohio today as 165,000 signatures were delivered to Ohio Govenor John Kasich on behalf of Akron mom Kelley Williams-Bolar, jailed last month for sending her children to a safer school. Convicted of a felony, her career is now in jeopardy. The petition urges Kasich to pardon Williams-Bolar so that she can work as a teacher.

As of today, more than 86,000 have signed the petition on Change.org; we were joined by our allies at ColorofChange.org and MomsRising.org in collecting more than 165,000 signatures calling for justice for Williams-Bolar.

Wow. 165,000 signatures, calling for a pardon for Williams-Bolar. That's 9,606 pages and approximately 40 pounds, delivered to Kasich's 30th-floor office and into the hands of Brad Reynolds, Gov. Kasich's Director of Constituent Affairs, earlier today. If you signed the petition on Change.org, know that your voice was heard.

This tidal wave of advocacy has already made an impact. Kasich responded last week to public outcry by saying he's investigating the issue; his spokesman Rob Nichols expressed gratitude today for receiving the petitions, the Columbus Dispatch reported:  "We're still gathering facts on it," he said. "People feel passionately about it and we're grateful to them for expressing their concerns."

Started by member Caitlin Lord, the Change.org petition exploded with signatures as more and more people across the country reacted to Williams-Bolar's story with outrage and a desire to help. A single mom living in public housing in Akron, Ohio, Williams-Bolar was convicted of a felony for allegedly falsifying residency records so her two daughters could attend neighboring Copley-Fairlawn schools, where her father lived. Williams-Bolar has repeatedly said that she sent them to school in Copley out of fear for their safety at her Akron home, and that the daughters split their time between her home and her father's home.

But a Summit County prosecutor pressed for felony charges, and a jury found Williams-Bolar guilty of falsifying records -- a felony conviction that meant a 10-day jail sentence, three years of probation and 80 hours of community service. Worse, having a felony on her record means Williams-Bolar may not be permitted to work as a teacher, even though she's just classes away from a teaching degree.

Stay tuned for more on Williams-Bolar's case, and if you haven't already, please sign the petition calling for a full pardon from Gov. Kasich.

Photo credit: ABC News via Flickr

Carol Scott is the Education Editor for Change.org.

RELATED PETITION

Gov. John Kasich: Pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar -- she shouldn't go to jail for protecting her kids
VICTORY!
185,249 People
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