The Council of Bishops Condemns the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery, Calls for Justice and the Eradication of Racism

Council of Bishops’ Statement on the Killing of Ahmaud Arbery

The February killing of an unarmed Black man, Ahmaud Arbery, in Brunswick, Georgia, continues to fill the news cycle and our hearts. The Council of Bishops joins the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Board of Church and Society in condemning this senseless killing, and racism and white supremacy in every form.

The list of innocent Black lives who have been needlessly killed grows each day: Eric Garner, Terrence Crutcher, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Samuel DuBose, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, LaQuan McDonald, Sandra Bland, Walter Scott and now Ahmaud Arbery. These are just some of the ones we know. We are saddened that there are many more names that could be added to this list.

Parents of Black children live in fear each and every day that they themselves or a member of their family will be the next victim as the pervasive culture of racism and white supremacy grows each day. In fact, voices inciting racism and white supremacy have been given a greater place within our political government. While there are laws against racial discrimination in the United States, in practice, little has changed.

Read the Council of Bishops' entire statement here>