Merrick Garland, Attorney General: “This morning, three defendants were convicted of committing federal hate crimes in connection with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. On February 23rd, 2020 Mr. Arbery was targeted, chased, shot and killed while running on a public street. Today, a jury of the defendant’s peers unanimously found beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants acted because Mr. Arbery was Black.”
“The defendant’s actions, and the racism that fueled them have inflicted enduring trauma on Mr. Arbery’s family, his friends, his community and communities across the country. My heart goes out to his parents, Ms. Wanda Cooper Jones and Mr. Marcus Arbery, Sr. for the unimaginable loss they have endured.”
“I cannot imagine the pain that a mother feels to have her son run down and then gunned down while taking a jog on a public street. My heart goes out to her and to the family. That’s really all I can say about this.”
“Throughout our history and to this day, hate crimes have a singular impact because of the terror and fear that they inflict on entire communities.”
“No one in this country should have to fear the threat of hate fueled violence. No one should fear being attacked or threatened because of what they look like, where they are, from, whom they love or how they worship. And no one should fear that if they go out for a run, they will be targeted and killed because of the color of their skin.”
“The Justice Department has a legal obligation to prosecute hate crimes. And as Americans, all of us have a moral obligation to combat the hatred and bigotry that motivates those crimes.”
“Although we welcome the jury’s verdict, the only acceptable outcome in this matter would have been Mr. Arbery returning safely to his loved ones two years ago. His family and his friends should be preparing to celebrate his 28th birthday later this spring, not mourning the second anniversary of his death tomorrow.”
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