ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) joined community activists to support a mother who was attacked, along with her two children, near King Middle School in Atlanta.
That mother, Somemet Beavers, said she and her children were attacked by a group of 15 to 20 gang members after she reported the threats her eighth-grade son was receiving to a retired Atlanta police officer who worked as a resource officer at the middle school.
On Friday morning, Fort and the activists attended a juvenile court hearing in Fulton County for the alleged suspects in an show of solidarity for Beavers.
Fort and retired state legislator Douglas said the beating was senseless, and they believe the defendants in the case only received a slap on the wrist.
"To see our young people and what they did last week in jumping on this mother and her kids is unacceptable," Dean said. "We can't just slap them on the hand and say its alright for you to just jump on a mother and her kids."
Police charged five teens, ages 14 to 16, with fighting in public, which is a misdemeanor, but Beavers and community activists want the charges upgraded to assault and gang violence.
"I don't agree with the charges," Beavers said. "Fighting in public is different than what we had to go through."
"We are calling on the authorities to raise the level of charges against these individuals. We must send a message to our young people that we can't tolerate this kind of foolishness," Dean said.
Beavers was inside a Fulton County Juvenile courtroom when two of the alleged suspects and their mothers appeared before a judge.
"It was shocking because the mother of one of the children did not want him to come home with her. Basically she let them know she can't handle him and this is an ongoing thing," Beavers said.
Beavers said that was preliminary hearing. The Department of Juvenile Justice decided to detain two of the juveniles until their next court appearance.
"I'm happy with that because I don't feel safe with them being out, knowing they will have to go back to court," Beavers said.
Atlanta Public Schools suspended the resource officer pending the outcome of the investigation.
"I wasn't trying to take nobody's job or get anybody suspended. I'm a single mom, I know how hard it is. At the same time, I need you to know when you put that suit [police uniform] on, you are to protect. When I or anybody come to you for help, you should help," Beavers said.
The Atlanta Police Gang Unit is also involved in the investigation. A spokesman said additional charges could be filed.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Image from cell phone video of assault
