Ahmaud Arbery Foundation launches campaign to honor his legacy ahead of 31st birthday
The Brief
The Ahmaud Arbery Foundation is launching a new campaign to honor Arbery's life, coinciding with what would have been his 31st birthday.
Arbery's mother is encouraging donations of $31 to support scholarships, youth leadership camps, and mental health programs.
The three men convicted of Arbery's murder have requested a new trial.
ATLANTA - The foundation formed in memory of Ahmaud Arbery is launching a new campaign to honor his life, just weeks before what would have been his 31st birthday.
Arbery's case captured national attention after he was shot and killed while running through a Brunswick neighborhood on Feb. 23, 2020. His mother later founded the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation, which works to raise money for causes that reflect his legacy and is dedicated to keeping Arbery's memory alive.
The backstory
Arbery was 25 years old when he was killed. Father and son Greg and Travis McMichael chased and shot Arbery, while their former neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, joined the pursuit and recorded the encounter. All three men were sentenced to life in prison.
Dig deeper
Ahead of May 8, the day Arbery would have turned 31, his mother is encouraging supporters to donate $31 to fund scholarships, youth leadership camps, and mental health programs focused on investing in young people's futures.
She hopes for every board member to be able to give away up to $31,000 in $31 increments.
What they're saying
"I tell people all the time that Ahmaud was killed in the year 2020 during the COVID pandemic when we were all shut indoors, and people were paying attention. But now, it's five years later, and everything is almost back to normal. But we cannot forget what happened," said Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones.
What's next
The three men convicted in his death have since requested a new trial.
What you can do
You can learn more about the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation and its fundraisers on its website.
SEE ALSO:
Ahmaud Arbery murder 5 years later: Atlanta runners gather in his memory
Trial over for former Georgia prosecutor in Ahmaud Arberry case
Georgia men who killed Ahmaud Arbery asking court for new trial
Runners preparing for 2nd annual Run with Maud in Atlanta
Ahmaud Arbery's killers asking court to overturn hate crime convictions
The Source
FOX 5's Kim Leoffler spoke with Wanda Cooper-Jones, mother of Ahmaud Arbery, for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.
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