Press Release: 2021-11-29

Moulton Statement on Verdict in the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery

Moulton Statement on Verdict in the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery:

WASHINGTON — Following the verdict in the murder trial of Ahmaud Arbery, Representative Seth Moulton released the following statement: 

“Today’s verdict isn’t justice—it’s accountability. 

True justice would mean that Ahmaud Arbery was never hunted down and murdered in cold blood to begin with. It would look like him being alive to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. 

Make no mistake, accountability is important. But as we mark the jury’s decision, let’s not forget that there is still so much work to be done to address the horrific racial violence to which Black people in America continue to fall victim.

While many of us are at a loss for what to do, it is up to all of us, particularly white people, to do the hard work. Silence and inaction are no longer an option. We have a responsibility to dismantle systemic racism and put an end to the injustice that people of color in America continue to face.

It is our duty to create a country where Black people’s existence is no longer a threat: one where simply jogging while Black is not subject to death.

And to my colleagues, it’s up to us to call out white extremism whenever it rears its ugly head in our workplace. It should come as no surprise that much of the dangerous rhetoric we’ve seen over the last five years from some of our fellow elected leaders has worked to protect and embolden white vigilantes.

We still have a lot of work to do. So the call to action for everyone is: let’s get to it.”