Local News
Family Statement in Response to the City of Atlanta’s Settlement Approval in the Death of Deacon Johnny Hollman Sr.
| The Atlanta City Council unanimously agreed to pay $3.8 million dollars to settle the civil rights lawsuit brought by the family of Deacon Johnny Hollman for his death at the hands of a City of Atlanta police officer in August 2023. “In matters pertaining to civil rights litigation, our law firm often has an adversarial relationship with the City of Atlanta. That is no secret. In this instance, however, Mayor Andre Dickens, outgoing City Attorney Nina Hickson, and the City of Atlanta unquestionably did the right thing. We applaud them and thank them on behalf of the Hollman family.” –Statement of Harold W. Spence, Esq. “On behalf of my siblings and our entire family, we want to thank all the people across Atlanta who have supported us in our fight for justice for our father. The students, clergy, organizers, and artists who prayed, marched, and stood with us have been a true blessing. We are grateful that Mayor Dickens and the City Council have brought closure to this part of our fight for justice. We will continue to demand arrests of those responsible for our father’s death.” – Arnitra Hollman, Daughter of Deacon Johnny Hollman & Family Spokesperson “Today’s resolution allows this family to focus on healing from the devastating and senseless loss of their beloved father. This could only have been resolved with the support of the community. The people stood with this courageous family. Deacon Hollman was a son of Atlanta who loved this city, and his family has been fighting for the City to acknowledge that what happened to him should not have. While this part of their struggle is coming to a close, this fight for justice will not end until criminal charges are levied “ – Attorney Mawuli Davis, founding partner of a Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Deacon Hollman was a husband, father, and grandfather. On August 10, 2023, Deacon Johnny Hollman Sr, age 62, had just finished Bible study and was on the way home to take dinner to his wife when he was involved in a minor car accident. He called 911 and waited for over an hour for the police to arrive. When Officer Kiran Kimbrough arrived, he decided that Deacon Hollman was at fault and issued him a traffic ticket. Deacon Hollman asked to see a sergeant. Officer Kimbrough ignored him and told him he would take him to jail if he did not sign the ticket. Deacon Hollman told Officer Kimbrough he would sign the ticket, but the officer still grabbed him, took him to the ground, and began tasing him. Deacon Hollman told the officer “I Can’t Breathe”, at least thirteen times. Deacon Hollman was pronounced dead at Grady Hospital. |
| Deacon Hollman was a husband, father, and grandfather. On August 10, 2023, Deacon Johnny Hollman Sr, age 62, had just finished Bible study and was on the way home to take dinner to his wife when he was involved in a minor car accident. He called 911 and waited for over an hour for the police to arrive. When Officer Kiran Kimbrough arrived, he decided that Deacon Hollman was at fault and issued him a traffic ticket. Deacon Hollman asked to see a sergeant. Officer Kimbrough ignored him and told him he would take him to jail if he did not sign the ticket. Deacon Hollman told Officer Kimbrough he would sign the ticket, but the officer still grabbed him, took him to the ground, and began tasing him. Deacon Hollman told the officer “I Can’t Breathe”, at least thirteen times. Deacon Hollman was pronounced dead at Grady Hospital. |
