An attorney for one of the convicted Atlanta Public Schools educators took to the pulpit Sunday to ask for prayers and "justice tempered with mercy."
He also said a new organization to support the educators is in the works.
Gerald Griggs, who represents former Dobbs Elementary School teacher Angela Williamson, spoke during a Sunday morning service at Elizabeth Baptist Church on Cascade Road. He introduced his client and said that the family of Shani Robinson, the former educator whose sentencing was postponed due to the birth of her child, was also present.
In his brief address, Griggs said a new website called FreeOurTeachersNow.com “should be up Friday,” the day after three high-ranking officials are scheduled to be re-sentenced. He didn’t provide any other information about the group.
“We need your support to change the minds and the hearts of the judge and the district attorney,” Griggs told the congregation, “so we can really make this about helping the children, and not incarcerating the educators.”
Williamson — who was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month after being convicted on charges including racketeering, two counts of false writings and statements and two counts of false swearings — did not speak Sunday morning but has previously maintained her innocence and plans to appeal. She was one of 11 former Atlanta Public Schools educators found guilty in a landmark test cheating case on April 1.
Two weeks later, eight of the defendants received hefty prison sentences, while two others admitted guilt and received lesser punishments. Robinson is scheduled to be re-sentenced in August.
“This is about remediation and repair, both for the educators and the community,” Griggs said Sunday. “And we need your support as a church.”
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