The name of Ahmaud Arbery is already known nationwide. But a resolution designating a day named after Arbery in Georgia would likely strengthen his legacy, which now extends beyond the Brunswick subdivision, where he breathed his last.
The Georgia House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring February 23 “Ahmaud Arbery Day” in honor of the 25-year-old black jogger who was killed in the Brunswick neighborhood of Satilla Shores two years ago.
“Mr Arbery, a compassionate and generous man, will long be remembered for his love for family and community,” read the resolution, read and passed in Georgia House last week. Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Clayton County) co-sponsored the resolution along with Reps. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah), William Boddie (D-East Point), Don Hogan (R-St. Simon’s Island), and Calvin Smyre ( D-Columbus).
Continue reading:Ahmaud Arbery was killed at the age of 25. A year later, black men who see themselves in him mourn his loss.
The resolution also encourages residents to walk 2.23 miles annually to campaign for racial equality.
According to Arbery’s aunt, Ruby Arbery, the family will hold a candlelight vigil on February 23 in the Satilla Shores neighborhood at the site where Arbery was shot, shortly after the court case ended that day.
Two-year anniversary of Arbery’s death
On February 23, 2020, Arbery was chased, cornered and killed by three white men while jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood. The men believed he broke into a vacant and under-construction house in the neighborhood, although he had no evidence to back up these claims.
Travis McMichael, 36, and his father Gregory McMichael, 65, were sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years without parole. Her neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan, 52, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years in prison with the possibility of parole.
Hate crime trial:Jury selection begins in the federal hate crime trial for the killers of Ahmaud Arbery
The three men are also on trial on federal hate crime charges in connection with the case. Jury selection in this process began on February 7th.
Arbery legacy
The resolution comes a year after Georgia revised its citizens’ arrest law. Under the updated bill, owners of Georgia businesses, including retail stores and restaurants, can still arrest shoplifters and other thieves on their premises as long as they turn those individuals over to law enforcement officers “within a reasonable time.”
“A Bright Light for a New Georgia”:Gov. Kemp signs law removing citizens’ incarceration
The revised law also allows police officers who are off-duty or outside their jurisdiction to make arrests if they witness or know a crime has recently been committed. The law does not affect existing self-defense and stand-your-ground laws in Georgia, which allow people to defend themselves, their property, and others from threats of violence or deadly force.
In June 2020, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a landmark hate crime bill aimed at protecting Georgians from acts of violence or property damage committed because of the victim’s race, sex, or gender.
Savannah Morning News reporter Will Peebles contributed to this report.
Raisa is a watchdog and investigation reporter for The Savannah Morning News. Contact her at rhabersham@gannett.com.
