National civil rights leaders hailed the conviction of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers on federal hate crime charges as a victory for racial justice. But they also called it a reflection of the determination of Mr Arbery’s mother, who vowed to keep fighting for her son.
The three defendants — Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan — who were already convicted of murder in state court last year — faced a series of charges that essentially said they were motivated by deep-rooted racism. In a week-long trial, federal prosecutors released a mass of racially hostile texts and social media conversations to prove what men think of black Americans.
Prosecutors said the ruminations motivated the defendants in February 2020 when they stalked and shot Mr Arbery while he was jogging in an area near Brunswick, Georgia.
Reverend Al Sharpton called the verdict “setting a precedent” on Twitter. “Even in the Deep South, the Feds will accuse you of hate action,” he wrote. “I applaud Ahmad’s parents for the forced trial.”
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, noted that the verdict came a day before the second anniversary of Mr. Arbery’s death. “Two years ago, none of us knew about Ahmad Arbery,” he said. “But tomorrow, two years ago, his story shook the conscience of our nation and the world. Ahmaud Arbery was lynched in broad daylight, and today’s verdict brings us one step closer to justice.”
Sherilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, noted the persistence of Mr. Arbery’s mother, who, along with other family members, pleaded with the judge not to accept the two defendants’ plea deals, but rather move forward. with federal court.
“The tenacity, courage and determination of Wanda Cooper-Jones, the mother of Ahmad Arbery, deserve recognition and praise,” said Ms Ifill. “She was determined to move forward with this prosecution.”
Mark H. Morial, executive director of the National Urban League, said it was clear that the three men’s racial hatred of black Americans motivated their actions and their callousness. “They saw no value in the life of a black person,” Mr. Morial said. “The deed was done from their own words.”
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Mr Arbery’s family, said the lawsuit ended an agonizing two-year journey to justice. This included ensuring that their son was humanized every step of the way.
“For the past 24 months, they have dedicated themselves to getting justice for their son. They had to relive his brutal murder, watch and listen as he was demonized in court, and fight to tell the world who Ahmad Arbery was and who he might have been if his young life had not been cut short so brutally.”
Mr. Crump added: “Ahmad Arbery has been denied the opportunity to define his own legacy, but America, we have the power to ensure that it advances our fight for equal justice and dispels hatred in this world. This is how we continue to honor Ahmad and ensure that his death is not in vain.”