November 24, 2021
Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Held Accountable
A Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
Finally, Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan Jr. have been found guilty and will be held accountable for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. However, despite the verdict, real justice would have Ahmaud alive today together with his family and loved ones.
The 25-year old Ahmaud was simply jogging in a neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia when he was chased, assaulted, and killed by three White vigilantes. They racially profiled Ahmaud for the simple fact of being Black in their neighborhood. Ahmaud was fatally shot in close range with a shotgun while he was completely unarmed. These perpetrators unjustly created this violent situation, and were the aggressors when they needlessly chased Ahmaud in what amounted to a modern day lynching.
While the jury was able to see the truth and hold Ahmaud’s killers responsible for his death, too often we see the alternative. NHMC knows we still need to reform our laws to prevent White vigilantes from taking the law into their own hands to irrationally hunt communities of color. Nonetheless, NHMC stands in solidarity with Ahmaud’s family and hopes that this verdict provides some comfort now that his murderers are being held accountable for their crimes.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
