Today, the jury rendered a guilty verdict in the trial of Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. The Vera Institute of Justice issued the following statement:

“Although this verdict is a step in the right direction, it will not take away the pain that this murder has caused for the family and community of Ahmaud Arbery. Nor will it solve the ongoing, deep-rooted, violent racism embedded in the United States, which if left unchecked will inevitably lead to another tragic death in the not-too-distant future.

We remain focused on the need for long-term structural reform and greater racial equity in the criminal legal system. We will continue to demand accountability from every level of the criminal legal system as we dismantle white supremacy.”

About the Vera Institute of Justice

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and activists working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera’s headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York, with offices in Washington, DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit vera.org.