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Ana Maria Rosato Fights for
Criminal Legal Reform

Atlanta protest signs of the times June 2020 updated May 2021 | Photo and Video Credit: Ana Maria Rosato for the ACLU of Georgia

Before the public release of the video showing three white men murdering Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, a young Black man in Brunswick, Georgia, Ana Maria Rosato put a New York Times reporter in touch with Christopher Bruce, ACLU of Georgia’s policy director, who connected the reporter with key people on the ground in Glynn County.

On April 26, 2020, The New York Times published Two Weapons, a Chase, a Killing and No Charges. the article that publicized this gruesome murder to its nationwide audience. This critically important article kicked off the national media storm and came out before the video of the murder surfaced and was made public.

Three White Men Murdered Mr. Ahmaud Arbery

The events surrounding the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, harken back to the worst practices of Georgia under Jim Crow. From attending local meetings to ensuring local, state, and national news coverage, the ACLU of Georgia policy and communications departments worked collaboratively with local leaders and citizens in the Brunswick community to bring justice to this horrendous murder.

What happened to Ahmaud Arbery?

On the afternoon of February 23, 2020, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year old Black man, jogged through the Satilla Shores neighborhood — minutes away from his own home — in Brunswick, Georgia. Three local white men deliberately drove through the neighborhood with a gun in hand, shot, and killed him in cold blood.

Only because of the massive public outcry from the family and local community supporters, statewide organizations like the ACLU of Georgia and the Georgia NAACP, and people throughout the nation were the men arrested 74 days later.

And that was only AFTER the enormous, relentless community pressure caught the eye The New York Times’ reporter Richard Faussett who wrote the first of many national stories about this murder. When video finally surfaced then went viral, the community outcry and organizing coupled with the publicity The New York Times‘ article generated were the men arrested.

The Ahmaud family, community, and organizational leaders including the ACLU of Georgia came together to hold these three men accountable.

To be crystal clear, none of this should be needed. All people of every race and ethnicity should be safe and feel safe taking a run knowing they will return home safely.

What Happened to Ahmaud Arbery? A Conversation Between the ACLU of Georgia and NAACP Georgia

Liberty Is Peachy Podcast, Ep. 12

In this critically insightful and compellingly robust conversation released as video and podcast, ACLU of Georgia’s political director Christopher Bruce and Georgia NAACP president Rev. James “Major” Woodall answer this question. “What happened to Ahmaud Arbery?”

Host Kenyatta skillfully guides the conversation between the three of them, all of whom are African American men living in Georgia.

Ana Maria Rosato, producer, ACLU of Georgia’s Liberty Is Peachy podcast

What was the verdict in the trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers?

The fourth DA in the case prosecuted the three men, and on November 24, 2021,a jury consisting of 11 people who are Caucasian and one who is Black convicted the three men on all charges including murder.

Source: The New York Times.

The ACLU of Georgia Responds to the Murder Convictions

The fourth DA in the case prosecuted the three men, and on November 24, 2021,a jury consisting of 11 people who are Caucasian and one who is Black convicted the three men on all charges including murder.

Source: ACLU of Georgia Press Statement

The ACLU of Georgia Responds to the Murder Convictions (cont'd)

“With their verdict, the jury rejected the vestige of Jim Crow and the assertion of white supremacy that was at the center of this case. This is a vitally important step, brought about because of the determination of Ahmaud Arbery’s family and his community and the public protests,” said Andrea Young, executive director of the ACLU of Georgia.

Source: ACLU of Georgia Press Statement

The ACLU of Georgia Responds to the Murder Convictions (cont'd)

“Importantly, this movement led to the repeal of the Citizen’s Arrest law, and we must continue to work for racial equality in the State of Georgia. Glynn County must create an independent Citizen’s Review Board. Black Georgians must have a voice in our state and local governments that fully reflects their share of the population, and we must protect the right to protest without which these men would never have even been arrested."

Source: ACLU of Georgia Press Statement

What was the sentence for the three murderers? (cont'd)

On Friday, January 7, 2022, Judge Timothy R. Walsley "held a minute of silence Friday, saying he hoped to contextualize the time the 25-year-old spent being chased by the defendants.

See CNN for quote.

What was the sentence for the three murderers? (cont'd)

"That one minute represents a fraction of the time that Ahmaud Arbery was running in Satilla Shores," Walmsley said, before going silent....When I thought about this, I thought from a lot of different angles," Walmsley said, "and I kept coming back to the terror that must have been in the mind of the young man running through Satilla Shores."

See CNN for quote.

What was the sentence for the three murderers?

Judge Walsley sentenced the father and son murderers to life without the possibility of parole and the third man to life with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

See CNN for quote.

What happened to the local prosecutor in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case? (cont'd)

Local community members channeled their anger and horror at local DA Jackie Johnson’s failure to prosecute the murderers and marched into the voting booths, and kicked her out office. In September 2021, a grand jury indicted Jackie Johnson for mishandling the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. By Thanksgiving Day 2021, she was arrested and booked on charges of obstruction of justice.

What happened to the local prosecutor in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case?

We all know that true justice would have Mr. Arbery return home after his jog to continue with the rest of his day and the rest of his life.

What happened to the local prosecutor in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case?

“Unfortunately, Ahmaud had to lose his life, but the change that has been implemented since we lost him shows my family that he didn’t lose his life in vain,” she said. “I didn’t really think we’d get this type of change within this short time period. I’m shocked, but thankful.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution May 10, 2021.

Georgia’s Citizen’s Arrest Law – Repealed (cont'd)

Georgia’s 250 year old citizen’s arrest law, enacted shortly after Georgia seceded from the Union, granted legal authority to vigilantes, slave patrols, and lynch mobs to arrest of Black people in an attempt to preserve slavery.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia’s Citizen’s Arrest Law – Repealed (cont'd)

The Justice for Ahmaud movement – the public protests, media coverage, and community demand for justice – led directly to the historic repeal of this horrible law. While laws governing the ability of a citizen outside of law enforcement to arrest another individual, Georgia is the first state in the nation to repeal its citizen’s arrest law.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia’s Citizen’s Arrest Law – Repealed (cont'd)

The ACLU of Georgia worked diligently to repeal this antiquated, racist, and dangerous citizen’s arrest law in Georgia which finally happened in 2021, and I am proud to have played a role in repealing this racist law.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia’s Citizen’s Arrest Law – Repealed (cont'd)

While all of these are steps in the right direction, none of this is justice. The reason is simple. Justice means that Mr. Arbery would have returned home from his jog and gone about his day as he determined, returned to loving his family and friends, and going about his life as he pleased.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Reimagine Public Safety

It’s past time for our communities and states as well as our nation to reimagine public safety so that any of us can feel and be safe as we walk, jog, or drive down a street knowing that we will return home safely to our family, friends, and community.

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