5 Years Later And Ahmaud Arbery’s Death Still Burdens Our Hearts

Source: change.org / other

It’s been five years since Ahmaud Arbery was gunned down by two white, wannabe vigilantes in a rural part of Georgia who racially profiled him and falsely suspected the unarmed, young Black jogger of being a burglar. But, the pain of his brutal murder still weighs heavy on the hearts of so many Black families.

On Nov. 24, 2021, Gregory and Travis McMichael as well as William “Roddie” Bryan were convicted of felony murder and other charges for the murder of Arbery in February 2020. The 25-year-old was jogging through the Brunswick, Georgia, neighborhood when the McMichales attempted a citizen’s arrest. Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery, claiming self-defense in court.

On Jan. 7, 2022, a judge handed down life in prison sentences for all three men convicted of murdering Arbery. The guilty verdicts mean the mostly white jury didn’t buy the defendants’ claim that they were attempting to make a citizen’s arrest of Arbery when Travis McMichael shot him twice at close range with a shotgun.

Source: Glynn County Sheriff’s Office / Glynn County Sheriff’s Office

Since Arbery’s death, communities have banded together to ensure his legacy lives on, giving his death meaning and purpose.

Hundreds of people gathered  in Atlanta to run the Beltline in honor of the young Black man who was tragically taken from us too soon—the 2.23-mile run, which was created by J.R. Hughes, a member of the South Fulton Running Partners, has been dubbed “Run with Maud.”

Participants in the run said it was important to remember Arbery’s life while addressing systemic concerns centered around the general safety of Black men participating in leisure, like running or jogging.

“This is a moment of reflection to let us know that no matter how much things have changed, there’s more change necessary,” Edward Walton, the co-founder of Black Men Run, told Fox 9. “We want to make sure that what happened to Ahmaud Arbery is not forgotten. We’re here to celebrate his life.”

“It should never have happened, you know?” said participant Mark Monroe. “I’ve been running for over 15 years, and I run state to state. A lot of times, I run in different areas, and you don’t feel safe.”

In New Brunswick, Georgia,  Arbery’s family gathered at the part that bears his name to remember his legacy and help the community grow and learn from their tragedy.

During the event, Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud’s father, gave a heartfelt message to the attendees.

“If you got sons, grab hold of your sons,’’ he told the crowd. “Step up all y’all men,’’ he said. “If those three men had loved, Ahmaud wouldn’t be dead.”

SEE ALSO:

Mostly White Jury Picked In Trial For Ex-Ahmaud Arbery DA Accused Of Covering Up Racist Vigilante Murder

Ahmaud Arbery’s Convicted Killers Desperately Seek New Trial For Lynching Unarmed Black Jogger