NAACP Issues Statement on the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2020) – The NAACP released the following statement regarding the brutal murder of Ahmaud Arbery by two white residents in Brunswick, Ga.

 James "Major" Woodall, state president, Georgia NAACP stated: 

"While we acknowledge District Attorney Tom Durden's intentions to convene a grand jury to bring charges against the men who gunned down Ahmaud Arbery, we recognize that we have a long way to go until we reach justice. The modern-day lynching of Mr. Arbery is yet another reminder of the vile and wicked racism that persists in parts of our country. The slothfulness and inaction of D.A. Jackie Johnson of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit and George Barnhill of the Waycross Judicial Circuit are a gross testament to the mismanagement of the judicial process in the Brunswick community. We will not rest until the murderers of Ahmaud are behind bars, and Jackie Johnson, along with George Barnhill, are removed from office." 

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP stated: 

"The fact that Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael have not been arrested and held without bond in the senseless killing of Ahmaud Arbery is despicable and displays the ills of systematic racism and privilege granted to white people in America when Black bodies are at the epicenter. This incident is reminiscent of a horrific era where police officers and white protesters routinely brutalized African-Americans.  We call for the immediate resignation of the district attorneys in this case.  We intend to put the full weight of our power behind this case to ensure we reach justice. "

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP's work and our five "Game Changer" issue areas here.