Georgia Victims Get 'Royal Treatment'
Marsy’s Law for Georgia celebrated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with victim advocate appreciation lunches across the state and by getting the iconic King and Queen buildings at the Perimeter of Atlanta to light their crowns purple.
The week of national recognition got a local presence when the Marsy’s Law for Georgia team secured a proclamation from Gov. Nathan Deal for Georgia Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and we started off the week with an oped sent statewide by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s office that told several harrowing stories about Georgia crime victims who faced life-threatening attacks because they weren’t notified of their offender’s release from prison. Cagle ended his piece with a direct appeal to Georgia voters for them to vote yes for Marsy’s Law in November.
The campaign participated in events throughout the state. A “Coffee Talk Community Forum” in East Lake and Safe Haven Transitional events in Jonesboro and Decatur provided information on victim resources available in these communities. Each event attracted 20 to 30 people and Marsy’s Law staff talked to every participant about how they can get involved in helping pass the constitutional amendment this November.
In Savannah and in Macon we sponsored victim appreciation luncheons to thank activists who’d volunteered their time to lobby their legislators to get Marsy’s Law for Georgia on the ballot. The Macon event was covered by a local television station.
We ended the week with a special recognition by the well-known King and Queen buildings at Ga. 400 and I-285 – one of the business intersections in the country.