A Tragic Day That Sparked a Movement
Four years ago, Wanda Cooper-Jones experienced the unimaginable when her 25-year-old son, Ahmaud Arbery, went for a routine jog and never returned. What began as a quiet day in their South Georgia neighborhood turned into a national outcry for justice after video evidence revealed her son’s killing. In February 2020, Cooper-Jones was simply waiting for her son to come home, unaware that his name would soon be at the heart of a movement for change.
Turning Grief into Action
In the months following Arbery’s death, Cooper-Jones endured a painful 74-day wait before any arrests were made. The release of the footage exposing her son’s murder ignited protests and prompted the eventual conviction of his assailants, who were sentenced to life in prison. Reflecting on this time, Cooper-Jones acknowledges the profound impact the case had on both Georgia and the nation, as it occurred during a time when people, confined by the pandemic, were paying closer attention to issues of racial injustice.
Continuing the Fight for Change
Since her son’s death, Cooper-Jones has been instrumental in pushing for reforms such as the repeal of Georgia’s Citizen’s Arrest law and the passage of hate crime legislation. Through the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation, which promotes physical safety and mental health for Black boys, she has found a way to keep her son’s legacy alive. While her grief is ever-present, Cooper-Jones draws strength from the foundation’s impact and the support of fellow mothers who have endured similar losses, helping her heal one step at a time.