Washington, DC— Following today’s guilty verdicts for the three men who chased down and murdered Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man out for a jog, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:
"This is a good day for America. A Georgia jury has actually convicted three white vigilantes for murdering a Black man in cold blood. Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan hunted down, confronted, and killed Mr. Arbery, a young man with a loving family who will now never fulfill his potential. No trial can change that, but justice has been served. The jury system can work, but it relies on competent prosecution and a level playing field in the courtroom. This outcome—the entire process—stands in stark contrast to the judicial nightmare we witnessed in Kenosha last week.
"We look forward to seeing the Department of Justice pursue federal hate crime charges against these three individuals soon. Violence against innocents targeted for their race sows fear throughout the targeted community. That is how terror works, and that is why federal charges are the next step."
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.