Released on June 3, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Organization for Women has signed on to a letter calling on the Department of Justice to open a full and thorough hate crime investigation into the horrific killing of Ahmaud Arbery, who was chased down and shot to death by armed vigilantes while peacefully jogging in a suburban Georgia neighborhood. 

Like the murder-by-police of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Ahmaud Arbery was targeted for being Black and victimized by a culture that gives permission to racial violence, especially when committed by individuals with a law enforcement background.  But unlike Minnesota, where Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has a consistent record in opposing police violence, is leading the investigation, Cobb County  District Attorney Joyette Holmes, the fourth prosecutor to be assigned to this case, identifies herself as a “proud conservative” and has political ties to Georgia’s controversial Republican governor, Brian Kemp. 

That’s why NOW has joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ and the Hate Crime Coalition’s call for a thorough investigation into the local district attorneys, as well as the Glynn County Police Department for their pattern of systemic constitutional abuses.   

There are too many families of the victims of police violence crying out for justice today.  Along with George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, there is also David McAtee and Breonna Taylor, both shot by police in Louisville in incidents that sparked national outrage.  All these families must see a full accounting for the legal system’s inherent racism, neglect, and contempt for communities of color. 

NOW stands with Black Lives Matter and other groups demanding racial justice, systemic change, and immediate reform and accountability.  

Justice delayed is justice denied.  Change must come now—it’s long overdue.  Hate must be driven out of our criminal justice system, and it must never come back. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,