Ahmaud Arbery — a black man — went for a jog near his home in Georgia. He never made it back home alive.
Racism
Welcome to Trayvon Martin 2.0. Today, online petitions and demands for justice have overtaken social media and the minds of minorities across the country after a video was released earlier this week showing the brutal murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
On February 23rd, the 25-year-old Arbery was jogging in a neighborhood outside Brunswick, GA, when he encountered Gregory McMichael, a former police officer, and his son, Travis. According to a Glynn County Police report, McMichael and his son believed Arbery “didn’t belong” and “looked like a person suspected in a series of recent break-ins in the area.” So, instead of calling police and filing a report, the 2 white supremacists decided to take matters into their own hands with their version of a “citizens arrest.”
McMichael and his son hunted Arbery down with a shotgun. Arbery and Travis struggled over the gun as Arbery fought for his life. That’s when 2 shots were fired and Ahmaud Arbery fell to the street dead.
So, what happened?
We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the….. pic.twitter.com/r1PNxs8Vgn
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 6, 2020
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
According to McMichael, Arbery looked similar to a man who had been causing trouble in the neighborhood. So, when they saw him jogging down the street they felt it was their duty to jump into action.
“Travis, the guy is running down the street, let’s go,” McMichael said he yelled to his son. That’s when McMichael and his son grabbed a shotgun and a pistol and followed Arbery in their truck. When they caught up to Arbery, Travis McMichael attempted to cut him off, but Arbery turned around and began running in the opposite direction. They chased Arbery to a nearby intersection and that is when shots were fired.
However, the newly released videotape shows a different story.
“Did you ever see that viral video of 3 grown black men chasing a young white jogger with shotguns, confronting him, then killing him, then claiming it was all a citizens arrest — and the police and prosecutors just said ‘Sure. No problem?’ Me neither!” – Shaun King
In the video, Arbery is seen jogging before being accosted by McMichael and his son. Naturally surprised by the attack, Arbery briefly struggled with his attackers before being shot and killed.
When Wanda Cooper was notified by police of her son’s death, she was told he was involved in a burglary that ended with a confrontation between her son and the homeowner, who had a gun.
“He was not armed,” Cooper said while adding that she never worried about him jogging because he never bothered anyone.
“All I want to do is get justice for my son,” Marcus Arbery, the slain man’s father said. “This is terrible. It could happen to anybody’s kid.”
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, as well as NBA star LeBron James and activist Shaun King have joined countless other luminaries in demanding justice for Arbery.
Despite the graphic video, an arrest has still not been made. Authorities say a grand jury will hear arguments in the case to determine if it was a hate crime, however, that hearing won’t occur until June due to coronavirus restrictions. In the interim, a GoFundMe page entitled “I Run With Maud” to raise awareness about Arbery’s killing has collected over $14,000 in donations and 21,000 followers.
Just like the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery proves it’s just not safe being a black man in America.
McMichael and his son hunted Arbery down with a shotgun. […] – DJ
We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes!” […] – LJ
Just like the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery proves it’s just not safe being a black man in America. […] – DJ
This tragic story hurts deep in the pit of my stomach. And once again The Truth is revealed about America.
It has NEVER been safe for a Black man in America.