Community reacts after Ahmaud Arbery’s killers get life in prison

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — It was an emotional moment outside the courthouse when the three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced to life in prison.

“Now they get to live with people of color, the same people they hated for all of these years,” Linda Gamble.

Linda Gamble drove from Atlanta just to be here for the sentencing hearing. She told us she grew up in Brunswick.

“On top of that the Arbery family is friends of mine,” Gamble said.

Friday morning, a prayer circle was created. Rev. DeWayne Cope, of the Historic St. Athanasius’ Episcopal Church and other religious groups have been here since day one helping the community get through the murder trial.

“We wanted to show up today to let everyone know we are still here,” Cope said.

Faith leaders told me while everyone packs up and goes home their community is still hurting. That’s why they are spreading the message of unity and healing.

“The people who live here still must figure out how we live and look at one another and be beside one another so it was important sort of leading up to today

Gamble said her heart goes out to the Arbery family. She said even with justice she knows their family is still hurting.

“Ask God for help and the pain that they are feeling, I can definitely see a lot of pain still there and each day it’ll get better for them,” Gamble said.

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