Mar 8, 2021
ATLANTA â House lawmakers unanimously passed a measure Monday that would do away with Georgiaâs Civil War-era citizenâs arrest law.
The âvigilante styleâ killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed Black man, in Brunswick last year sparked statewide calls for the law to be repealed after a prosecutor used it as justification for not seeking criminal charges.
In the beginning of the legislative session, Gov. Brian Kemp pledged to lead an effort to do away with what he called earlier this session antiquated law that is ripe for abuse and enables sinister, evil motives.â
The measure would repeal the old law completely but still offers a number of protections for Georgians defending themselves or their property.
Georgia House Votes to Repeal Citizen’s Arrest Law In Wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s Death
Georgia lawmakers voted unanimously on Monday to repeal a citizen’s arrest law that fueled public outcry after a prosecutor relied on it to conclude that last year’s fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery was justified.
The Georgia House of Representatives voted 173-0 for House Bill 479, which, aside from some exceptions, would eliminate the right for civilians to make arrests.
“The unanimous passage of HB 479 by the Georgia House is an important step in our efforts to root out injustice in the Peach State, while also protecting the sacred right to defend oneself and others,” Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, said in a statement.
What happened with 223fdn? Ahmaud Arbery’s mother claims org doesn’t have family blessing
The mother of Ahmaud Arbery has spoken out with allegations against the 2:23 Foundation, otherwise known as 223fdn. The organisation recently responded by denying the claims made by Arbery’s mother. Here’s what we could find out.
20-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot on February 23
rd 2020, after being chased by three white men, Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan. The young man had been jogging in Brunswick, Georgia when he was killed.
In the year since his passing, an organisation named The 2:23 Foundation (223fdn) was set up by Ahmaud’s football coach to “help bring awareness on the tragic killing of the innocent Ahmaud Arbery”. On the anniversary of his death this year, the non-profit reportedly raised over $225,000 in donations, while social media was flooded with people doing runs in Ahmaud’s memory.