The US state of Georgia has been fraught with tension following the Killing of a 25-year-old African American man, Ahmaud Arbery who was shot dead while jogging.
Several US politicians have joined the call demanding justice for Arbery who was killed in cold blood by two white men, Gregory McMichae, a former police detective and his son, Travis.
In the shocking video Arbery was seen jogging in the Satilla Shores neighbourhood of Brunswick in Georgia’s Glynn County on Thursday afternoon 23rd Feb. 2020.
He was shot while jogging past a white truck packed in the right lane of a narrow road in the neighborhood as he crossed back in front of the truck.
The footage has stirred outrage in Georgia as prosecutors are filing charges against McMichae and his son.
Gregory McMichael has however tried to justify the killing saying that he and his son wanted to detain Arbery because he had a resemblance with a burglary suspect who got involved in recent break-in cases.
Following the sheer murder of Arbery, US politicians have joined the call for justice.
Joe Biden, Former United States Vice-President said on Wednesday in a tweet that transparent investigation should be carried out into the killing.
“The video is clear: Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood. My heart goes out to his family, who deserve justice and deserve it now. It is time for a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his murder,” the tweet reads.
Similarly, Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said in a tweet on Thursday 7, 2020, that Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was gunned down while jogging in his own neighborhood.
“Despite the existence of a video, neither attacker has been arrested or charged. An all-too familiar story. Everyone deserves justice and due process under the law. Ahmaud’s life matters,” Adam Schiff said in tweet.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader has called the killing “heartbreaking and sickening” and said in a tweet, “The family of Ahmaud Arbery deserves justice. There MUST be a full, impartial, and prompt investigation.”
Ilhan Omar, a Democratic member of the House tweeted on Wednesday saying Arbery was “killed in cold blood”.
“Arbery was lynched and killed in cold blood simply for being a Black man in America. Far too often, our criminal justice system fails us. We can’t let that happen this time,” he said.
In a letter posted on Facebook on Tuesday, Tom Durden, acting district attorney for a neighbouring district said, “I am of the opinion that the case should be presented to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges against those involved in the death of Mr. Arbery.”
Durden also said that the case would be presented to the next available jury in Glynn County. He though stated it might be until mid May before the grand jury would meet given the ongoing lockdown restrictions.
The McMichaels are yet to be charged for murder of Arbery and have not given comment as regards the video except that they said Ahmed stopped by a house that was under construction and looked through the window, an accusation that should be subject to thorough and impartial investigation.
