UPDATE: Officials from Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Gregory and Travis McMichael for the cold-blooded murder of Ahmuad Arbery.

In just one week, state officials did what local prosecutors failed to do for two months. Still, our call for justice remains the same -- DA Barnhill and Johnson must be removed from office. 

Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was jogging near his neighborhood in Brunswick, GA on February 23 when he was chased down, shot, and killed in cold blood. 

His executioners were father & son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, two white men, who told police they believed Ahmaud fit the profile of a suspect. But the truth is: Ahmaud's murder was an act of hatred and white supremacy. 

Worst of all, the two DAs who recused themselves District Attorney Jackie Johnson and District Attorney George Barnhill further perpetuated the mismanagement of Ahmaud's case. DA Johnson has a history of her judgment being called into question. In previous years, she's shown through the mishandling of cases, her inability to fairly prosecute the officers she works with on a daily basis. And DA Barnhill even defended Ahmaud's murderers by making the outrageous claim that Travis McMichael acted in self-defense and his actions fell within Georgia's citizen arrest laws.

In his letter to the Glynn County police, he stated, "it appears {Travis and Gregory McMichael's} intent was to stop and hold this criminal suspect until law enforcement arrived. Under Georgia law, it is perfectly legal." Barnhill also went on to state that there was no need for arrest. And it is because of Barnhill's suggestions to police that two months have gone by without an arrest or any form of accountability. Now, a district attorney in another county has finally decided to bring the case to a grand jury--but grand juries aren't convening in Georgia until after June 2. 

Instead of seeking justice, DA Barnhill abused his authority to exonerate the McMichaels in the media. For their inaction, both District Attorney Gregory Barnhill and District Attorney Jackie Johnson must go. 

Ahmaud's death is akin to a modern-day lynching. We must act NOW to end this racist terror. Enough is enough. We are calling on the State Bar of Georgia to intervene for this gross negligence and malpractice. If we are successful at getting a complaint filed with the State Bar of Georgia then we will get one step closer to seeing these prosecutors removed and disbarred.

Sign the petition demanding District Attorney George Barnhill & District Attorney Jackie Johnson's immediate removal from office.

 
Here is the Petition:

Dear District Attorney George Barnhill & District Attorney Jackie Johnson,

Ahmaud Arbery was a young Black man who was barbarically shot and killed by Gregory and Travis McMichael. Because of your recommendations to the Glynn County police department, the McMichaels went MONTHS without getting arrested. 

We are looking at you to take responsibility for the large role you played in delaying justice for Ahmaud. We are calling on you to step down immediately. 

cc: State Bar of Georgia, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, and Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers