Faith Leaders Demand Justice for Ahmaud Arbery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2020​

MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393
Graham Younger, gyounger@faithinpubliclife.org, (678) 739-8584

Faith Leaders Demand Justice for Ahmaud Arbery

Atlanta, Ga. — After a viral video surfaced of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery being gunned down by two armed men, faith leaders are demanding Gov. Brian Kemp makes sure a complete and transparent investigation takes place. People of faith are calling for justice for Arbery and changes to state hate crime laws and civil rights legislation. 

Min. Shavonne Williams, Georgia Organizing Ambassador, Faith in Public Life:

“My heart breaks for Ahmaud Arbery and his loved ones. This is a reality here in Georgia, where you can still be shot for breathing while black and our justice system often does little to protect you, even once videos go viral. We need to push for permanent change, like hate crimes and civil rights legislation that will make Georgia’s commitment to equality and safety for all its citizens clear.”

Dr. Tony Lankford, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of St Simons (Glynn County):

“A lot has gone wrong and we, as the people of Glynn County, have a moral responsibility to not hide that, sweep it under the rug, but to make it right starting now. The very heart of this beautiful coastal community depends upon it. I am calling on Governor Brian Kemp and President Donald J. Trump to name the evil of this situation. This does not define the Georgia or America we want.”

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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, we are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level. Our network of 50,000 leaders engage in bold moral action that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.