COLUMBUS, Ohio – The following is a statement from Dani McClain, campaign manager for ColorOfChange.org, regarding Governor Kasich’s decision to investigate the Kelley Williams-Bolar case.

ColorOfChange.org, together with Change.org and MomsRising.org, led the charge to pressure Governor Kasich to step in and take a public stand in the case against the 40-year old Akron mother who was convicted of a felony for trying to get her children into a better school system. Together, the three organizations collected over 145,000 signed petitions from their members, all urging Governor Kasich to push for justice in the case and commit to fully pardoning Williams-Bolar.

“We’re encouraged that Governor Kasich has acknowledged the overwhelming public outcry surrounding Kelley Williams-Bolar’s prosecution and is now looking into her case. Ms. Williams-Bolar was convicted of a felony simply for doing what she thought was in the best interest of her children. We encourage and expect Governor Kasich to take much stronger action in this case and do everything he can to assure a just outcome for Kelley Williams-Bolar and her family.”

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About ColorOfChange.org

With more than 700,000 members, ColorOfChange.org is the largest African-American online political organization in the country.

Link to statement from Governor John Kasich regarding Kelley Williams-Bolar case: http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/115012964.html