Re “Special needs advocate appeals conviction, faces another charge,” Nov. 19-21 edition:

I was one of numerous parents at the trial of Kandise Lucas, the special education advocate, in Chesterfield General District Court.  Our group of parents with special needs students looked on in utter shock and disbelief at how Judge Pamela O’Berry repeatedly rejected federal laws like the Individuals With Disabilities Act and The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, that protect students, parents and advocates that exercise their rights to ensure that our most vulnerable children are not abused and neglected by corrupt school systems.

Judge O’Berry found Ms. Lucas guilty for doing her job as an advocate for my son and hundreds of others without even knowing what an advocate does. Judge O’Berry also sent a strong message to Chesterfield County Public Schools that they can violate federal law, and falsely charge students, parents and advocates for exercising their rights. The events of that day played out like a scene from “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Judge O’Berry has forgotten that if someone had not advocated for her civil rights through civil disobedience, she would not even be on the bench. So why would she issue a ruling that would deny anyone else, especially our children with special needs, the right to an advocate that is committed to fighting for them?

Every day that she is on the bench is another day that the civil rights of our children endure court-sanctioned civil rights violations, just as our students did in Chesterfield circa 1950.

MICHELLE Williams

Chesterfield County