Running with Ahmaud Arbery on the one-year anniversary of his murder
On the anniversary of Ahmaud Arbery’s death, his mother has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Arbery was shot and killed while running in a neighborhood in Georgia. The lawsuit mentions the three men accused in his murder. It also claims prosecutors and police attempted to cover-up and delay charges in the case.
The national outcry over his death touched many here in the Triangle, and today, many are running to keep his memory alive.
Arbery was jogging along a road not too far from his home when he was chased, attacked and killed. Now, people are lacing up their shoes to complete the run he didn’t get a chance to finish.
It would be months before the world came to know his name from a viral video of his shooting death.
“What I wanted to do this year was create something To commemorate his death so he’s not forgotten," said Tyrone Irby, owner of the Choice Performance Center in Durham. "I think in a way he has been forgotten because he was the first in the slew of incidents in 2020."
Irby founded the 'Together We Stand’ nonprofit during the height of civil unrest. On the anniversary of Arbery’s death, the fitness coach has encouraged hundreds of people to workout virtually or run 2.23 miles to keep his name alive.
“If you don’t remember Ahmaud Arbery, you should be reminded of Ahmaud Arbrey every day," Irby said. "Not because it’s Black History Month and February. Every single day," he said.
Janice Summers, a participant of the fitness tribute, says her run made her contemplate the sadness of the situation.
“I really started getting emotional, because with every step I was thinking about how he must have felt as he was running and being chased," Summers said. "Then I started to think about how his experienced has changed the way I feel, the places I run."
Summers is an avid runner who said Arbery’s death changed everything for the running community.
“I used to run early mornings 5:30, 6 a.m, I’m not comfortable doing that anymore, Summers said. "Not even in my own neighborhood. It’s not fair that I or others like me have to take that into consideration every time we step out the door to do something that we enjoy," she added.
“Whether you wearing bright colors, whether you are you wearing bright shoes; the reality of it is if you are a black man or woman, you’re always at risk," Irby added. "You have to be aware."
The tribute held Tuesday is geared toward continuing important conversations about race in our community. The 'Together We Stand' organization holds monthly events dedicated to advancing that effort.
