MORRISVILLE, NC (11/24/21) — A statement from Cheryl Carter, Interim Co-Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina:
“Tears are streaming down my face today. The guilty verdict for the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery is a relief, but I am still angry that we had to hold our breath. That our nation’s racist, oppressive systems all too often still protect the chosen few, without accountability for countless lives brutally taken from us.
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am reminded as an Indigenous person of how we have been socialized to hold space for the different truths each of us experiences. And from this trial verdict and that of the Rittenhouse trial last week, I am reminded that while there is some peace in today’s outcome, we still bear the wounds of mere days ago — of years, of centuries. Our justice system is deeply broken and even though true justice would be Ahmaud sitting at the dinner table with his family tomorrow, there remains some hope. We hold all of this with us today.
Today’s verdict does not erase the memory of last week, nor does it reverse the brutality that took Ahmaud‘s life. The families of those who lost loved ones in Kenosha will not receive closure that comes with accountability. We must continue to hold our justice system, judges, juries, and neighbors accountable, today and every day moving forward.”
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Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that aims to strengthen democratic structures, build power among disenfranchised communities, and inspire confidence in a transformed political process that works for all.