For Immediate Release
Contact: bpacheco@nylag.org | c: 917.771.9845
(NEW YORK, NY) May 8, 2020: Back in February, a 25-year old man named Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed by a white father and son. The father and son pursued Ahmaud in a truck after watching him jog in their neighborhood. A recent video capturing the slaying sparked national outrage over the case. More than two months after the shooting, the father and son have been arrested and charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery. NYLAG’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Caprice Jenerson responds.
“We are saddened and outraged by the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“In situations like this, we often see black and brown bodies being devalued, dehumanized, and further victimized within the very system we must turn to for justice. We have seen our legal system work differently and more favorably for some while excluding others from fairness and equality. While our work focuses on civil legal services, we recognize our clients are facing systems that create and maintain barriers to justice every day. We stand for equity and fairness and strive to disrupt bias and racism when and where it exists.”
About NYLAG
Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a leading not-for-profit civil legal services organization advocating for adults, children, and families that are experiencing poverty or have low income. We tackle the legal challenges and systematic barriers that threaten our clients’ economic stability, well-being, and safety. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and constantly improving how we respond to systemic issues of racism that affect our clients in their pursuit of justice. We address emerging and urgent needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, financial counseling, medical-legal partnerships, and community education and partnerships. Last year, we affected the lives of 90,800 people. Learn more at nylag.org.
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