Ahmaud Arbery’s mom “overwhelmed” by Kemp’s name to alter Georgian regulation

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Jones, praises Georgia Gov’s proposal. Brian Kemp to revise the law on the arrest of citizens.

“I was blown away,” Jones said the day after the announcement. Despite the loss of her son, when she heard what Kemp said, “I was happy.”

The Georgian Law on Arresting Citizens has been in force since 1863. Jones said it was sad that her son was jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood last February to request it change. A father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, pursued Ahmaud and shot him dead.

When the viral video of Ahmaud’s death released in May, it shocked not only the Brunswick community, but the nation as well.

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“The action the McMichaels had taken was that they were arresting a citizen, but they clearly hadn’t seen Ahmaud commit any crime at all,” Jones said.

On Tuesday, Kemp called for the repeal and replacement of a so-called “antiquated law”.

“Ahmaud was a victim of vigilante-style violence that has no place in Georgia,” said Kemp.

After Waycross Prosecutor George Barnhill reviewed the preliminary investigation into the case last March, he told police that the McMichael had acted under state law.

“A private person can arrest a perpetrator if the offense is committed in his presence or with his immediate knowledge. If the offense is a criminal offense and the perpetrator escapes or tries to escape, a private individual can arrest him on reasonable and probable grounds. “

Georgia Code Title 17

In a letter to the Glynn County Police Department, Barnhill wrote that Travis McMichael had fired his gun in self-defense and added, “We see no reason for an arrest.”

But that’s not how state investigators saw the case. In May, less than 48 hours after the Georgia Bureau of Investigations was asked to open an investigation, it arrested both Travis and Greg McMichael. The owner of a house Arbery was later seen the day he died, News4Jax said there was no evidence that Arbery stole anything from his property.

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“I have to say it was implemented because this is the Civil War. This is the time when there was prejudice and racism without action and I think it was made for people who look like me,” Jones said.

Kemp says his bill would:

• Close “dangerous” loopholes.

• Make it clearer when a person, business owner, or police can arrest someone who is committing a crime.

• Allow security guards and shop or restaurant workers to detain anyone they believe may have committed a crime for up to an hour before the police arrive.

• Do not allow deadly violence unless it is for self-protection, protecting a home, or preventing a crime.

“I’m happy about this change. Unfortunately we lost Ahmaud, but Ahmaud is making changes, ”said Jones.

Next Tuesday it will be a year since Arbery’s death. Jones said she was holding a candlelight vigil on Tuesday in Waynesboro, Georgia, where her son is being laid to rest. The family asks people to wear a blue ribbon to represent love, peace, and justice.

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