ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) will attend a running event that honors the memory of Ahmaud Arbery on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Beltline’s Westside Trail Entrance at Lee + White (1000 White St. SW) in Atlanta.
“To Ahmaud’s family, I continue to pray for your strength as you continue to move through this process,” said Rep. Scott. “We are still fighting for law enforcement accountability and gun safety laws, and we won’t stop until we have justice for Ahmaud.”
Citizens are invited to participate in a 2.23 mile run in honor of Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging before he was killed on February 23, 2020. Last year, Rep. Scott, along with a bipartisan group of state legislators, introduced House Resolution 688, a special resolution to commemorate February 23 as “Ahmaud Arbery Day” in Georgia.
Additionally, these legislators recently introduced a legislative package to increase police accountability. House Bill 107, or the Police Accountability Act, would require all law enforcement agencies to provide a body-worn camera to every officer and require such body cameras be turned on during interactions with the public. House Bill 112, or the Ethical Policing Act, would provide additional procedures and requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies in order to ensure “ethical policing” in Georgia and set new standards for policing in Georgia law. House Bill 113, or the Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act, would require police departments to provide de-escalation training to law enforcement officers.
“Ahmaud Arbery’s murder and delayed prosecution shows how bipartisan legislation can pass to balance the scales of justice,” said Rep. Davis. “As a result of Ahmaud’s tragedy, the citizen’s arrest law was repealed and a new hate crimes law was enacted. I pray we pass legislation on police accountability soon without unjust murder being its catalyst.”
“Ahmaud Arbery’s name will forever remain alive, yet his blood still screams from the streets in Georgia,” said Rep. Schofield. “A mother and father’s heart still grieves instead of celebrating their son’s future milestones. Ahmaud’s name will continue to bring change across our country. As a policy maker and a mother, I will continue to hold those accountable when they have crossed the line and extend my prayers to the Ahmaud’s family and friends.”
*Editor’s Note: A flyer for the running event is attached.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
###