Protest held against Judge Persky following Brock Turner's release
SAN JOSE Calif. (KGO) -- In the three short months since Brock Turner walked into jail, outrage over his sentence has put a huge spotlight on the judge in the case.
Brock Turner's release creates an opportunity for Judge Aaron Persky's critics to advance their efforts to recall the Santa Clara County Superior Court judge and the sentence he gave Turner.
RELATED: Rape survivors deliver petitions to remove Judge Persky
A protest held in San Jose across the street from the Hall of Justice was heavily attended by elected officials. They all joined a chorus of people seeking support for a petition drive to get a recall measure on the ballot in November of next year.
Persky is running unopposed for his judicial seat this November so he will automatically remain on the bench.
RELATED: Judge Persky recuses self from new sex crime case
Among the most passionate speakers at the rally were two college rape victims who say their their assailants were also given light sentences.
"He is the reason why more victims don't report these crimes. Because if the police believe you, even if the prosecutors believes you, even if against the odds the jury believes you, at the end of the day, that can all be undermined by a judge like Aaron Persky, whose objectively is clouded by rape culture," said Kamilah Willingham, a sexual assault victim who went to Harvard.
"Judge Persky's decision illustrates the severe lack of good judgement or a moral compass. And to me, that shows that he is unfit to severe on the bench," said State Senator Kevin De Leon (D), California's senate pro tem.
RELATED: Judge Persky to no longer hear criminal cases
The pressure on Judge Persky also includes some large bicycle billboards that will be ridden around the county Hall of Justice on Friday. Persky has been turning down interview requests and this week, he shifted to an assignment as a civil case judge, based in San Jose.
WATCH FULL VIDEO: Santa Clara County sheriff discusses Brock Turner's time in jail, release
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