Justice for Ahmaud Arbery started trending on Wednesday afternoon after the judge read the verdict of the three men who were accused of his murder.
Arbery, who had been out for a jog last February, was confronted by George McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, who assumed that he was involved in a series of home robberies that had taken place in the area.
Claiming that they were performing a citizen’s arrest, the two chased Arbery in vehicles before fatally shooting him. The incident was filmed by William “Roddie” Bryan, who was also charged.
All three men were charged with nine counts: one count of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Travis McMichael was found guilty of all nine charges. Gregory Michael was found guilty of all charges except malice murder. Bryan was found guilty of six of nine accounts, including felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Wanda Cooper-Jones Thanks All Those Who Prayed For Her Son
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Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, made a statement shortly after the three men were convicted for murdering her son.
“I just want to say thank you guys,” she said. “Thank you. Thank you, each and every one of you who fought this fight with us. It’s been a long fight. It’s been a hard fight, but God is good. Early in, I never saw – tell you the truth, I never saw this day, back in 2020 – I never thought this day would come, but God is good. And I just want to tell everyone thank you for those who marched, for those who prayed, and most of all to the ones who prayed. Thank you, God. Thank you.”
She concluded her message by saying that Arbery will “now rest in peace.”
Users shared sympathy, with one person writing, “Bless her, from one mother to another. I’m so glad she could rec some closure and some deserved justice from the system.
“Ahmaud’s Mother fought and prayed hard for justice,” another wrote. “That is a Mother who truly loves and misses her son. Justice was served but the heartache will never leave.”
Many Users Celebrate Justice, But More Work Needs To Be Done
#AhmaudArbery pic.twitter.com/jQKVqstC7J
— Dominique Béland (@DominiqueBeland) November 24, 2021
People quickly took to social media to express their thoughts on the verdict.
“Justice feels good! It’s been a long time. Maybe we can start seeing more of it,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Now address the fact that it basically took social media to even get them arrested in the first place! They were walking around uncharged for months!!!”
The official Black Lives Matter Twitter account sent out a message saying, “GUILTY! We uplift the Spirit of #AhmaudArbery and send love to his family. Deep appreciation to all who organized, protested, ran, posted, and prayed. Every effort ushered in as much justice as could be had. May this victory inspire the continued struggle for Black freedom.”
President Joe Biden also released a statement, saying, “Ahmaud Arbery’s killing … is a devastating reminder of how far we have to go in the fight for racial justice. Nothing can bring Mr. Arbery back to his family and to his community, but the verdict ensures that those who committed this horrible crime will be punished.”
Comedian Amy Schumer posted a photo of Arbery on Instagram with the caption, “Say his name #ahmaudarbery.”
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