Arbery’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the grim reality for many ethnic minorities in the US – with white supremacist terrorism only fueled by the rhetoric of the current US government, many continue to feel doubtful about the future of the country.
Arbery’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the grim reality for many ethnic minorities in the US – with white supremacist terrorism only fueled by the rhetoric of the current US government, many continue to feel doubtful about the future of the country.
Mass outrage has erupted in the United States after a video emerged showing a young African American man shot to death while jogging in broad daylight in the state of Georgia. Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was unarmed when confronted by two white men, Gregory McMichael and his son Travis. Gregory is a former police detective.
The horrifying video shows the two men chasing Arbery in their car, before shooting him. A struggle ensues when one of the men leaves the car to confront an already injured Arbery, before more gunshots are heard and Arbery is seen falling to the ground. Many have since voiced outrage and organized protests in the aftermath of Arbery’s murder.
In a country built on systematic racism and genocide, the recent Black Lives Matter movement has helped highlight the ongoing tragedy facing many Black and ethnic minority citizens in the US today – but unfortunately with very little systematic change. Innocent Black Americans continue to be targetted and killed for simply being Black. Lee Merritt, an attorney for Arbery’s mother, stated:
These men were vigilantes, they were a posse, and they performed a modern lynching in the middle of the day.”
Although the incident happened earlier this year in February, the recently emerged video has spurred outrage across the country, with many notable US politicians and leaders voicing their opinions:
The video is clear: Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood. My heart goes out to his family, who deserve justice and deserve it now. It is time for a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his murder. https://t.co/alvY5WjdHx
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 6, 2020
Ahmaud was only 25-years-old before his life was taken. No words or actions can ever ease the pain his family is feeling right now but they deserve swift justice. #JusticeForAhmaud pic.twitter.com/p8aUxM5ap3
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 6, 2020
A 25 yr old unarmed black man named #AhmaudArbery was shot and killed by two white men in Georgia named Travis and Gregory McMichaels in February of this year. Both men should be arrested immediately! I am currently on #MorningJoe sharing our demands for justice. #IRunWithMaud pic.twitter.com/bELerXm3Sc
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 7, 2020
Many are also calling out the fact that the two assailants were allowed free for months after the shooting, with attention being brought forward only when the horrifying video emerged.
Ahmaud Arbery was murdered for being Black.
His White assailants were allowed to roam free *for months* after lynching him. They faced no charges, no arrests. Police had video of Ahmaud’s murder the day it happened.
His family deserves justice. Our country deserves answers.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
As the US continues to reel after yet another killing of an innocent Black American, it remains to be seen what systematic changes are needed before the country can both heal and implement restorative justice. Arbery’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the grim reality for many ethnic minorities in the US – with white supremacist terrorism only fueled by the rhetoric of the current US government, many continue to feel doubtful about the future of the country.
