PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hundreds of Black clergy from all over the country including Philadelphia are headed to Brunswick, Georgia, in a show of support for the family of Ahmaud Arbery.
This comes after a defense attorney for one of the three men accused of killing the 25-year-old jogger requested that there be no more “Black pastors” in the courtroom.
"I made up in my mind when I heard that statement that at some point, before the trial ended, I was gonna make it a point to be there, and to show my face," said Rev. Mark Tyler, pastor at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Center City.
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Black churches have historically played a pivotal role in the fight for social justice and civil rights.
"The way I interpret it, and heard that statement, is one that recognizes at least on his part, the historic role that the Black church and Black pastors have had, when it comes to fighting for social justice," Rev. Tyler added.
"There would have been no civil rights movement. There would have been no great migration. There would have been no reconstruction. Without the advocacy of the Black church and Black pastors. There is not one place in American history where you can find Black people making strides, and steps forward without the Black church being there, and Black pastors raising their voices. And so we have a historic obligation to show up and to be there as our ancestors were."
He explained that's why he felt so obligated to make his way to Georgia, even before Rev. Al Sharpton’s call for clergy members to join him outside of the Glynn County Courthouse for a prayer vigil.
"This trial is being held on a worldwide stage," Rev. Tyler said.
"We’re watching. We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re not going away. We’re going to be present like we were present in every trial like this going all the way back to the nation’s founding, as we’ve been fighting for the same basic human rights."
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The initial call was for 100 Black pastors to join, but Rev. Tyler says the movement has grown, with nearly 1,000 clergy persons from across the country now expected to attend.
"We’re there as a witness to be there for them as well as an act of solidarity. But beyond that, we’re there to send a clear message to the rest of the country, that even when things don’t go our way within the justice system, we’re not going to stop fighting. We’re not going to stop demanding. We’re not going to stop showing up. We’re going to stay right there on the wall," said Rev. Tyler, who said about seven or eight people are headed there from Philadelphia.
"While Black pastors, in particular, felt called out that this has also rubbed others the wrong way, other faith traditions, and also other racial groups...standing as allies with us who are going to be there tomorrow as well."
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William Bryan, Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael face nine criminal charges in connection to killing Arbery, including felony murder.
If convicted, they could each face life in prison.
Defense attorney Kevin Gough later made an apology to “anyone who may have inadvertently been offended.”
