BRUNSWICK, Ga. — (Note: The video above is from previous related story.)
Hundreds of high-profile religious and civil rights leaders were Brunswick Thursday to support the family of Ahmaud Arbery as the three men on trial for murder in the shooting death of the 25-year-old continues.
On the tenth day of testimony in the trial of Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III, will host a "wall of prayer" outside the Glynn County Courthouse, according to a tweet from Sharpton.
Arbery's family, his family's attorneys and hundreds of Black pastors gathered outside the courthouse, with additional clergy and rabbis on hand in a show of solidarity ahead of a "Justice For Ahmaud March" in Brunswick later in the day.
Arbery was shot and killed on Feb. 23, 2020. Cellphone video leaked to the public shows two armed white men in a truck approaching the 25-year-old Black man as he runs down the road. One of the men, later identified as Travis McMichael, and Arbery struggle over McMichael's shotgun before Arbery is shot and collapses.
Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan, who recorded the video, are all charged with murder in Arbery's death.
During a press conference announcing the march, Jackson said it is imperative for activists to take part in the event to fight for equality.
“We cannot get used to being killed. We must fight back," the reverend explained. "We must not color justice. We must be indivisible of all people.”
The march and other events, hosted by the Transformative Justice Coalition and the National Action Network, follow controversial remarks last week by defense attorney Kevin Gough, who represents Bryan.
"We don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here," Gough said, asking the judge to prohibit Jackson from attending court with the family. He said he thinks high-profile Black pastors could influence or intimidate the jury.
The events for the remainder of the week are as follows:
Thursday - 11/18
- 8 a.m.: Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
- 10 a.m.: Prayer & Court Watch
- 11 a.m.: Demonstration of Solidarity
- 12 p.m.: Wall of Prayer
- Lunch w/Arbery Family
- 3 p.m. Justice for Ahmaud march
- 8 p.m. National Tele-Town Hal
Friday - 11/19
- 10 a.m. Prayer & Court Watch
- 12 p.m. Lunch w/ Arbery Family
- 6 p.m. Candlelight Vigil & Prayer
The organizers said the gatherings will be a display of love and support for the grieving Arbery family.