Ahmaud Arbery's mother Wanda Cooper Jones thanked nearly 300,000 Instagram Live viewers for supporting her family toward the end of a musical event on Sunday featuring gospel artists Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond.

Jones expressed gratitude for those who have “stood with us in the fight for justice for my son.”

Arbery, an unarmed black man, was killed in February after a white father and son followed and shot him. They and a third man have been charged with murder in connection with the death.

“Thank you so much,” Jones said during a phone call played through a speaker. “Your support means the world to us and just continue to lift us up in prayer, please.”

Music producers Swizz Beats and Timbaland launched the viral #Verzuz music battle in March as a way for artists to highlight their music during the coronavirus quarantine. Sunday's gospel event was billed "The Healing" in response to the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police last week and sparked nationwide protests.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Polling workers and voters are observed inside Canton City Hall during the special election for the state senate seat in Cherokee on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, to fill the remainder of former state Sen. Brandon Beach’s term, which runs through January 2027.  (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

More metro Atlanta sellers are deciding to take their homes off the market, according to a new report. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC