by Robin Kemp

State Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), who sponsored the resolution creating Ahmaud Arbery Day in Georgia, has presented Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, with a copy of the privileged resolution at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.

The event comes one day after all three men convicted of murdering Arbery were found guilty in a federal hate crimes trial, effectively guaranteeing them each life sentences.

Ahmaud Arbery’s parents ,Wanda Cooper-Jones (left) and Marcus Arbery (right), and civil rights attorney Ben Crump (center) raise their hands in victory outside the federal courthouse in Brunswick, GA followjng the hate crimes conviction of the three men who murdered Arbery Feb. 23, 2020.

“We have received a piece of justice from the state, but the federal indictment for this hate crime will bring the full justice to his family, the state of Georgia and the world,” Scott said in a press release.

This evening in Brunswick, a candlelight vigil march will begin at the Ahmaud Arbery Mural, followed by a discussion event by the Transformative Justice Coalition at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Scott also encourages individuals to walk or run 2.23 miles on Feb. 23, using the hashtag #IStillRunWithMaud.

The full text of the resolution marks February 23 as Ahmaud Arbery Day henceforth in the State of Georgia:

House Resolution 688  

By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Frazier of the 126th, Boddie of the 62nd, Hogan of the  179th, and Smyre of the 135th 

A RESOLUTION  

 

Memorializing Mr. Ahmaud Marquez Arbery; and for other purposes.  
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2022, the State of Georgia honors one of its most distinguished citizens; and  
WHEREAS, Mr. Ahmaud Marquez Arbery was a blessed Mother’s Day gift from God, born to Wanda Cooper-Jones on May 8, 1994, in Brunswick, Georgia; and  
WHEREAS, Mr. Arbery was a known athlete prior to the senseless loss of his life because of the color of his skin; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Arbery was a loving son, brother of Jasmine Arbery, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend who left an impact on countless Georgians and Americans; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Arbery will long be remembered for his love of family and community; and  
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia overturned the citizen arrest law that was written in the 1800s; and
 
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into law the Georgia Hate Crime Act; and  
WHEREAS, under the leadership of President Triana Arnold James, Georgia NOW, the organization’s members, and the community are encouraged to Run with Maud 2.23 miles annually in advocating for racial equality (#IStillRunWithMaud); and  
WHEREAS, February 23 will forever be known annually in the State of Georgia as The Ahmaud Arbery Day.  
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in memorializing Mr. Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.  
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Mr. Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.

Robin Kemp

Robin Kemp is executive editor and CEO of The Clayton Crescent, which she founded in 2020. She has worked for Gambit, CNN, The Weather Channel, Clayton News, Henry Herald, and numerous freelance outlets....

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