“As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family, friends, and loved ones, our hearts are with the family and friends of Ahmaud Arbery and the residents of the Brunswick, Georgia community.

Today, we feel a small amount of respite and hope that these three men were held accountable for their actions and for the senseless murder of Ahmaud Arbery in court. A step that we hope will set the precedence that the blatant disregard of the lives of BIPOC will no longer be tolerated in this country.

We know that much more work needs to be done to ensure that no more lives are lost as tragically, senselessly, and unjustly as Ahmaud Arbery – which is why YWCAs across the country continue to stand united with the people we serve and our community stakeholders to apply pressure and demand justice. Together, we can continue to challenge centuries of social, economic, and political inequity. Together, we can continue to dismantle the barriers of racism and open pathways to health, well-being, and opportunity in a world where BIPOC can enjoy simple pleasures like jogging, driving, etc. without the fear of being harmed, harassed, and even killed.”