In Memory of Ahmaud
Ahmaud Arbery was a descendant of Sapelo Island, a resident of Brunswick, Georgia, a son, a cousin, a friend, a teammate, a mentee, a mentor, and a motivation to many. On February 23rd, 2020, at the age of 25, Ahmaud was ambushed and murdered by two white men while jogging through the neighborhood of Satilla Shores. In the time since his murder, it has become even more heartbreakingly clear that if we do not fight to lift up those who have been lost to racism, violence, and the many forms of hatred within our societies that aim to cause persistent harm to Black people, then we will not reach sufficient justice. Students Unite is committed to honoring Ahmaud's legacy as well as actively supporting and organizing efforts to achieve justice for Ahmaud, while simultaneously encouraging others to do the same.
We continue to speak about Ahmaud's legacy, and recognize who he was before his death, because we believe it is important for people to remember Ahmaud for who he was prior to his life being taken. Ahmaud had dreams for himself. He had goals he wanted to meet, and many aspirations for his future. He has people who loved him and who always will, and he had memories with people as well; those memories that last a lifetime. Ahmaud inspired the people around him, simply by being who he was, and if we choose not to amplify these parts of his life then his legacy would be incomplete. Ahmaud Arbery, and the many black people who have been killed by acts of racism and hatred, should not only be remembered by what happened to them; in our pursuit of justice we must allow the impact they made while living to speak for them as well.
Progress and Organizing That Has Been Achieved
Since Ahmaud Arbery's life was unjustly taken on February 23rd, 2020, a number of actions have taken place to advocate justice for his wrongful death.
On May 5th, the video footage of Ahmaud Arbery jogging and later stopped by a truck by his attackers circulated on a local radio station, WGIG. Quickly, the video spread over social media and news channels.
On May 6th, an organized rally demanding justice for Ahmaud Arbery and his family take place. A Change.org petition seeking #JusticeforAhmaud amassed thousands of signatures.
On May 7th, more than two months after the shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Gregory and Travis McMichael had been charged with aggravated assault and murder and were taken into custody.
On May 8th, supporters ran 2.23 miles in recognition of the day Ahmaud Arbery was killed. This movement sparked the #IRunWithMaud movement.
On May 10th, an investigation was prompted into Ahmaud Arbery’s death by Georgia’s attorney general. The attorney general asked the U.S Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into how the case was handled.
On May 21st, the third person involved in Ahmaud Arbery’s death, Willian “Roddie” Bryan, was arrested and charged with murder and attempted false imprisonment.
On the same day, May 21st, the first meeting with the 2:23 Foundation and several Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) Student Interns took place. The BFS Student Interns are now known as the "Students Unite!" team.
On June 2nd, the Students Unite! team and the 2:23 Foundation co-hosted a “Students Unite! Justice for Ahmaud” virtual event for students and school community members across the country.
On July 7th, the Students Unite! team and the 2:23 Foundation co-hosted "Students Unite! We Continue the Fight," the second in a discussion series on racial justice, accountability, and activism.
On August 23rd, Students Unite!, Youth Speak Justice, and the the 2:23 Foundation featured submissions from the "Art & Action for Ahmaud" call-to-action they co-organized in honor of the 6-month anniversary of Ahmaud's death.