ATLANTA – The Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC), led by House Minority Leader James Beverly (D-Macon), today responded to Governor Brian Kemp’s bipartisan plan to address Georgia’s citizen’s arrest statute, which is an issue that Georgia House Democrats have worked to repeal before a video of Ahmaud Arbery’s death was released in 2020. The caucus is encouraged by the support of repealing and reforming the citizen’s arrest law since the release of this video, and the caucus believes the law is tied to slave-owning and emboldened three men to kill Mr. Arbery.
“I am proud of our members for advocating for a repeal of the citizen’s arrest law in Georgia,” said Leader Beverly. “Laws like this propagate suspicion and violence between our neighbors; there is no place for that here in our state. I am additionally thankful that the governor and other members of the Republican leadership team have decided to join us on this important issue in order to protect our family members and communities. I am hopeful that more Republican colleagues of ours will recognize how pressing the passage of this reform is and will vote in the affirmative.”
At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, the GHDC introduced the “Healthy Georgia” legislative agenda, which focuses on four key areas of policy reform: health, education, accountability and liberties. Reforming the citizen’s arrest law is one of several legislative priorities that seek to strengthen the civil liberties of Georgians, such requiring de-escalation training for law enforcement and ending the militarization of community police officers.
“The citizen’s arrest law in Georgia has a history that is deeply rooted in slavery and was used by private individuals to recapture slaves when they fled plantations,” said State Representative William Boddie (D-East Point). “Because of its history, and for the sake of Ahmaud Arbery and many other reasons, the citizen’s arrest law in Georgia needs to be repealed. It’s about time we make sure our laws in Georgia reflect that our state is now a diverse and progressive state with progressive laws.”
“I have been a proud advocate for repealing the citizen’s arrest statute for many years and am happy that the issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves,” said State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City). “Reforming citizen’s arrest is a good first step towards repairing the deep-seated wounds and division in our communities, and I am excited to help shepherd these reforms through the House to the governor’s desk for signature. At the same time, we must recognize that much more work needs to be done to secure civil liberties in Georgia. The heartless murder of Ahmaud Arbery showed our state how clearly the citizen’s arrest emboldens wannabe cops to act as cheap vigilantes and corrodes any semblance of law and order in Georgia.”
“The right of our sons and daughters to take a jog in their neighborhood should not be a Black issue or white issue nor a blue issue or red issue,” said State Representative Gloria Frazier (D- Hephzibah). “This is a human issue – one that should have been addressed a long time ago. Georgia House Democrats will continue to promote the right to live freely in our state no matter how you look, pray or love. Because Georgia shouldn’t just be the number one state for a business, it should be the number one state to live well and be free too.”
Representative James Beverly represents the citizens of District 143, which includes portions of Bibb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as House Minority Leader. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and on the Ethics, Health & Human Services, Retirement, Rules, Small Business Development and Special Rules committees.
Representative Carl Gilliard represents the citizens of District 162, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, State Properties, Creative Arts & Entertainment and Transportation committees.
Representative William Boddie represents the citizens of District 62, which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System and on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Judiciary Non-Civil and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Gloria Frazier represents the citizens of District 126, which includes Burke County and portions of Richmond County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.
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