White Supremacists Found Guilty of Federal Hate Crimes Against Ahmaud Arbery

Justice Reform News 02.22,22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janessa Sambola-Harris, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights released the following statement in response to the jury finding William Bryan and Travis and Gregory McMichaels guilty of federal hate crimes for targeting and depriving Ahmaud Arbery of his rights:

“Although Ahmaud Arbery cannot be brought back by today’s decision, we are grateful the McMichaels and William Bryan will face accountability for their hate. Our federal hate crimes laws exist for horrific events like this. We must defend communities targeted for hate and confront white supremacy as the scourge on society it is. Everyone deserves to live safe and securely, without fear of violence simply because of who they are. On the eve of the two-year anniversary of his death, our thoughts are with Mr. Arbery’s family and loved ones.”

The Leadership Conference, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Campaign, Muslim Advocates, NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and 110 other civil rights organizations, wrote the previous attorney general in the spring of 2020 urging the Department of Justice to open a full and thorough hate crimes investigation into the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and to conduct a federal civil rights pattern or practice investigation into the local district attorneys as well as the Glynn County Police Department for constitutional abuses. The three men were indicted on federal hate crimes and attempted kidnapping charges by a federal grand jury in April of this year. The full letter can be read here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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