LeBron James, Kim Kardashian West and dozens of others demand justice over Ahmaud Arbery killing

‘Please sign this petition so that charges will be filed’

Celebrities, including LeBron James and Kim Kardashian West, have demanded action be taken over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

A graphic video, released earlier this week, showed Mr Arbery being shot and killed by a white man, Travis McMichael.

Mr McMichael and his father, Gregory, pursued Mr Arbery while he was out jogging, reportedly because they thought he was responsible for a string of burglaries in the area.

They carried two guns, and in the video, after a brief altercation, a shotgun was fired.

Mr Arbery died of his wounds at the scene, but three months later, neither of the white men have faced charges.

An attorney for Arbery’s mother said: “These men were vigilantes, they were a posse and they performed a modern lynching in the middle of the day.”

The incident gained nationwide attention, which prompted a district attorney in Georgia to recommend that a Grand Jury be convened to consider criminal charges.

A protest, with more than 100 demonstrators, took place yesterday in the Brunswick neighbourhood where Mr Arbery was killed in February.

Celebrities took to Twitter to demand that action is taken against both Travis and Gregory McMichael.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball player LeBron James tweeted: “Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud (Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the heavens above to your family.”

Ms Kardashian West asked her followers to sign a Change.org petition that is calling for charges to be filed against the two men.

“Please sign this petition so that charges will be filed and justice for Ahmaud Arbery’s family can be served #JusticeForAhmaudArbery,”

Comedian Wanda Sykes echoed Ms Kardashian West’s post, and called for the two men to be charged: “The murder of Ahmaud Arbery should be mentioned everyday until those two killers are behind bars.”

Ava DuVernay, the director of the Martin Luther King Jr film Selma, posted on Instagram, calling for justice.

“People who believe in justice have done a strong job of raising awareness for his murder. Now let’s voice outrage for our brother beyond social media. Among other things, District Attorney George Barnhill must RESIGN. Text JUSTICE to 55156. Also, dial Georgia directly at 912-554-7200 to make your voice heard.

“Our voices are our weapon. #JusticeforAhmaud #IrunwithMaud,” she posted.

At the Brunswick protest, Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump, said he is frustrated that no charges have been made yet.

“Am I upset that it has taken this long for a verdict or the justice part to come? As the Sheriff I am upset,” he said.

“It shouldn’t have taken that long. If that was my son, I’d be upset. I can only imagine what the mother and dad is going through.”

Thea Brooks, one of Mr Arbery’s aunts said: “We are looking for justice, and that’s what we want.”