The reactions on Twitter among well-known celebrities to the Ahmaud Arbery guilty verdicts was largely relief over what they saw as a proper decision.
Former CBS anchor Dan Rather called it “a modicum of justice after a horrific act of violence.”
Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who lost the Georgia gubernatorial race in 2018 to Brian Kemp, wrote on social media that “a jury believed the evidence of their eyes and saw the meanness in the killers’ hearts. May this verdict bring a small measure of peace to #AhmaudArbery’s family and loved ones.”
She added in a second Tweet: “Georgia must move forward on criminal justice reforms - not retreat.”
D.L. Hughley, the comic and commentator, said he was “thankful for the verdict! But let’s not forget 3 prosecutors saw that same video and thought #AhmaudArbery’s murder was justified!”
Actor Michael Rappaport dubbed the defendants “sick animals” while adding, “They look so harmless in glasses and suits right?”
Former Atlantan and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast mate Claudia Jordan summed her thoughts: “All we ever wanted was accountability and equality. Nothing more... nothing less.”
Roy Wood Jr., a “Daily Show” comedy correspondent and former radio host on Kiss 104.1, noted: “And all they had to do was mind their business.”
Actress Viola Davis, who has spent several months in Georgia shooting the new Showtime show “The First Lady” playing Michelle Obama, reacted with plenty of exclamation points: “As it should be. To Wanda....Ahmaud Arbery’s mother..... your son mattered. His life mattered. I pray this brings you a tiny shred of peace. To the jurors.....huge gratitude for doing right. The pendulum of justice swung in the right direction!!!!!!!”
Comic and social activist W. Kamau Bell, who hosts a CNN show, noted that “these men were only arrested after people shared the video of them murdering Ahmaud Arbery, AND THEN more people demanded that justice be served. Once again, ACTIVISM WORKS!”
WSB radio host and conservative Erick Erickson wrote one word: “Justice.”
Local sports host Mike Bell of 92.9/The Game even weighed in: “Our judicial system works when the prosecution and judge are actually competent.”
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