Slayings of Arbery and Reed, Sparks National Outcry
WASHINGTON, (May 7, 2020) – Before the arrest, of the McMichael clan, Vanita Gupta, president, and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued a statement on the shootings of Ahmaud Arbery and Sean Reed as follows: “On behalf of the Gupta“We are devastated and outraged by the horrific killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Sean Reed at the hands of civilians and police officers, respectively. This terrifying violence is not new and is part of the continued legacy of (the) dehumanization of Black people across America.
In Arbery’s case, local authorities abdicated responsibility until a graphic video surfaced of two white men, one of whom is a former police officer, stalking and killing him. District Attorneys Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill must be held accountable for their shameless dereliction of duty. The U.S. Department of Justice must also conduct a full investigation into Arbery’s killing under Federal Hate Crime laws. Justice demands that Attorney General Barr enforce the civil rights laws he has sworn to uphold.”
“Reed’s case illustrates the systemic violence our criminal legal system continues to perpetuate against Black people and demands a full federal civil rights investigation. These two men, their families, and their communities deserve immediate action.
We must all fight the racism, hate, and impunity that threaten the lives of Black people and other people of color across our country. But we cannot do so unless the proper actions are taken to ensure full and real accountability.”
ABOUT The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
A coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
