LeBron James led a line of celebrities speaking out about the shooting of an unarmed black jogger by two white men less than three months ago – and the lack of consequences against the men involved in the shooting.
In the incident, Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was fatally shot by Travis McMichael as he jogged in Brunswick, Georgia February 23; McMichael’s father Gregory also chased Arbery in the incident, according to police.
The men told authorities that the shooting came amid an attempt to make a citizen’s arrest of Arbery, adding that Arbery matched a description of an active burglar in the region, police said.
Demanding justice: LeBron James led a line of celebrities who were speaking out about the shooting of an unarmed black jogger by two white men less than three months ago, and the lack of legal action against the shooters in the face of jarring video evidence
No one has been arrested in the incident, which infuriated the NBA stalwart, who said, ‘We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes!.
‘Can’t even go for a damn jog man!’ the 35-year-old Los Angeles Laker said. ‘Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!’
The Akron, Ohio native continued: ‘I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the….. heavens above to your family!!’
The iconic basketball player added the hashtags #StayWoke and #ProfiledCauseWeAreSimplyBlack after a jarring video of the incident made its way online this week, leading many on social media to call for immediate action in the case.
Upset: No one has been arrested in the incident, which infuriated the NBA stalwart, who said, ‘We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes’
Growing number: Stars from Kerry Washington to Zoe Kravitz to Amy Schumer took to social media to express their frustration with how the incident has been handled
Actress Viola Davis quoted late activist Fannie Lou Hamer in writing, ‘I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.’
Model Naomi Campbell wrote, ‘Please let’s not forget this young man’s name Ahmaud Arberey,’ adding #JusticeForAhmaud,’ while pop superstar Justin Bieber wrote, ‘Praying for the family mourning the loss of Ahmaud Arbery. Also praying for justice!’
Focused: Gabrielle Union made her thoughts on the situation crystal clear amid her calls for justice
Gabrielle Union made her thoughts on the situation crystal clear amid her calls for justice
‘It’s been months and his killers walk free,’ the actress said in an Instagram post. ‘I don’t want to beg, plead, reason, cry, or scream for you to see us as worthy of our breath. If you need to be cajoled into empathy, you are not who you think you are.’
The L.A.’s Finest star ended her post in saying, ‘We keep fighting. We will not stop. There will be justice.’
Kendall Jenner, Taraji P. Henson, Tina Lawson, Lily Collins, Vanessa Hudgens and Sailor Brinkley Cook also paid memorial to the late Arbery, while Zoe Kravitz said the incident was reflective of an unjust system.
Time to answer: Academy Award winner Halle Berry and A-lister Kerry Washington called for justice in the situation
Upset: Kendall Jenner indicated she was heartbroken by the term of events
Growing group: Kendall Jenner, Naomi Campbell and Justin Bieber also shared their thoughts on the deadly incident
Outrage: Ava DuVernay and Rosanna Arquette also expressed their disgust over the situation
She wrote: #ahmaudarbery was murdered by two white men, ON CAMERA, and dudes have not been arrested. come on, people…come. the F*** on.’
In his latest statement on the case, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp said that proper ‘resources & manpower’ have been allocated to local authorities ‘to ensure a thorough, independent investigation into the death.’
Kemp said that ‘Georgians deserve answers,’ and that ‘state law enforcement stands ready to ensure justice is served.’
Powerful: Oscar-winner Viola Davis called for action from officials in the situation
Statement: Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp said that proper ‘resources & manpower’ have been allocated to local authorities ‘to ensure a thorough, independent investigation into the death’
Blunt: Senator Bernie Sanders kept it simple in his assessment of what happened, and what should occur next
Arbery’s mother Wanda Cooper Jones told reporters that her late son ‘was just out for his daily jog’ in the incident, which the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is also probing.
‘I saw my son come into the world,’ she said, according to the AP, ‘and seeing him leave the world, it’s not something that I’ll want to see ever.’
The case is expected to continue for at least another month, as courts in Georgia are closed due to COVID-19 shutdown.
Response: Actress Lily Collins called the situation ‘tragic and unacceptable’
Passionate: Tennis icon Serena Williams had a bold response to the story involving Arbery
Upset: Vanessa Hudgens linked to a Change.org petition demanding justice in the case
When the courts reconvene, a prosecutor appointed to the incident says he hopes a grand jury can come to the determination whether or not either McMichael is charged in the deadly incident.
Jones’s’ lawyer Lee Merritt said Travis McMichael and his father Gregory ‘were vigilantes … and they performed a modern lynching in the middle of the day.’
Crestfallen: Khloe Kardashian posted an emoji depicting her heartbreak over the tragic death
Calls for action: Khloe’s ex, NBA star Tristan Thompson, said that justice ‘NEEDS’ to be served in the ongoing case
Chiming in: Khloe’s confidante Malika Haqq said that situations like the one involving Arbery ‘have to stop’