Ahmaud Arbery: Jay Z, Meek Mill, Roc Nation celebs write open letter to Georgia guv and seek quick trial
Celebrities like Jay Z and Meek Mill, and others at Roc Nation are demanding justice over the death of Ahmaud Arbery.
Many artists have publicly spoken out and demanded justice while asking for a speedy trial and conviction of Arbery's killers. Jay Z along with several others including Alicia Keys and Yo Gotti have signed an open letter which is releasing this weekend.
The letter has been addressed to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia AG Christopher Darr, and District Attorney Tom Durden, TMZ reports. They want the two killers Gregory and Travis McMichael to be treated fairly but swiftly so that they can be charged with felony convictions.
They also want another man arrested and charged as an accomplice to the crime. "By now, we’ve all seen the crime’s disturbing video, so the facts here are not in doubt: He was unarmed and innocent and the victim of a hate crime."
"Which is why we call upon you today, as official leaders of the Great State of Georgia, and with the entire world watching, to ensure that a fair trial is conducted, as that can only lead to the appropriate felony convictions of both McMichaels. We also implore you to charge William Bryan as an armed accomplice to the crime," the letter states.
Bryan had been the person who had filmed the video showing Ahmaud Arbery, 25, getting shot by the McMichaels. Arbery was shot dead on February 23 when he was running through a neighborhood near Brunswick in Georgia, CNN reports.
Those who knew him have described him as a "very good young man." According to a police report, Gregory McMichael, 64, had said that he thought that Arbery looked like a suspect in a series of recent break-ins. He then proceeded to grab a handgun while his son, Travis, 34, grabbed a shotgun.
They then chased Arbery and after catching up with him, Travis exited their truck with the gun. A small scuffle took place between the two and Gregory shot Arbery. The entire incident was captured on video footage which is around 36 seconds long.
As Travis and Arbery struggle, several gunshots are heard and a huge bloodstain appears on Arbery's white t-shirt. He is then seen stumbling and falling onto the road. The incident had taken place in the Satilla Shores neighborhood.
"We truly appreciate that you have arrested and charged these men with Ahmaud’s murder, and are hopeful that a trial and conviction will show that, in the state that gave us Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, and has been the site of the best and worst of the Civil Rights movement, Dr King’s words do ring true: 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice'," the letter concluded.
Singer Alicia Keys released a statement to The Associated Press and said, "If anybody saw that horrifying video of his killing, it is heartbreaking, unbelievably unacceptable and inhumane. No human being should be murdered and not receive justice. I have black sons and they should be able to go on a jog or anywhere they want without the risk of being killed."