Once again,
men and women of God come to the battlegrounds between Love vs. Hate, Right vs.
Wrong, Truth vs. Lies, Righteousness vs. Evil, Justice vs. Injustice, and
ultimately, God vs. Satan. We, The
Social Justice Commission of the Progressive National Baptist Convention come
in solidarity with the family of Ahmaud Arbery, to demand justice and to stand
against America’s greatest sin – Racism. When our young men lives become in
danger while jogging due to the ever-present hatred of racism; it’s time for
action. When our young men are shot to
death in the middle of the day without committing a crime; it is time for us to
come together. When a police department
puts friendship over finding the facts; it is time for us to rally
together. It’s time that we no longer
accept the actions of a system of white imperialism, but instead we implore you
to join with us to tear down the walls of a colonial racist empire rooted in
the worship of whiteness throughout our land.
It is with
great sympathy and heartfelt love that our hearts go out to the family of Brother
Ahmaud Arbery. On February 23, 2020, Brother Arbery was out jogging near his
home on a Sunday afternoon in Brunswick, Georgia, when two white men ambushed him,
shot him at least two times, and killed in the middle of the street. Ahmaud was
unarmed, broke no laws, and did nothing wrong. He was only 25 years old. The attackers were Gregory McMichael, a
former police officer and retired investigator for the District Attorney’s
office, and his son Travis McMichael. When the McMichael’s saw Ahmaud running
in their neighborhood, Satilla Shores, a predominately white community, they
immediately armed themselves with a shotgun and a .357 magnum, entered their
pickup truck, and hunted Ahmaud down as an animal in the wild.
The
Social Justice Commission of the Progressive National Baptist Convention demands
the following:
1. Transparency and Accountability
· As of to date, the Glynn County
Police Department and its District Attorney office has not done due diligence.
· We believe that because Gregory
McMichael is a former police officer and retired investigator for District
Attorney that there was no real investigation or commitment to their oath.
2. The immediate arrest of Gregory
McMichael and Travis McMichael.
· The statement that Gregory McMichael
gave to the investigating officer does not match what was seen on video.
· To make a claim for Citizens Arrest, a
crime must have taken place and must have been seen by the one to make the
claim. No crime took place.
3. This Case must be tried before a
Grand Jury.
4. The Federal Bureau of Investigations must
charge Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael with Federal Hate Crime charges.
5. The United States Department of Justice
conducts a full investigation of the Glynn County Police Department.
· This department has a history of scandals.
· The initial Police report shows a lack
of care, professionalism and investigative skills.
The African
American community is under attack. We are under attack from racist police
officers who beat and shoot first and ask questions later. We are under attack
by citizens who feel that we do not belong in their parks nor housing
developments. We are under attack by a prejudice white America who has been instilled
that black lives do not matter. We are under
attack by a system of imperialistic colonialism that teaches white America that
everything Black is wrong and that people of color are no more than a detriment
to the success of this country. This
evilness is the root to the killing of Brother Ahmaud. It is because of America’s intentional
silence of her sins, that we come once again with blood spilled on the streets. Where is the outrage from the Evangelicals
who proclaim that they stand for justice and righteousness? Where are the voices from the politicians who
ask for the votes of black communities year after year? Where is the love and
compassion from our beloved good white friends who profess that they do not see
color?
Though the forces
of darkness however apparent their ascendency may seem at this present hour,
shall not ultimately prevail. EPHESIANS
6:12-13 says, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
The
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) is a convention of Black
Baptist which reflect the religious, social and political climate of its time.
Yours for
the Sake of the Savior,
Rev. George C. Gilbert, JR.
Rev. George C. Gilbert, Jr.
Social Justice Commission
Progressive National Baptist
Convention
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