By Rich McKay

BRUNSWICK GA (Reuters) – About 100 Ahmaud Arbery family supporters and Black activists erupted in a rousing ovation outside Georgia Courthouse as Ahmaud Arbery read his first verdict.

The crowd repeatedly screamed “Yes!” with every pronouncement of guilt. And “Guilty!””.

Many had gathered at the Brunswick (NYSE) Georgia courthouse every day for the two-week long trial of three white men who were charged with murdering Arbery. The three Black men, aged 25 and running through predominantly white neighborhoods on Sunday afternoon were all convicted of killing Arbery.

Loretta Wallace (53), listened to the audio feed from the court via a loud speaker and danced, clapped, on the sidewalk to respond to the verdicts. She smiled from ear-to-ear. “Thank you, Jesus. God has answered our prayers.” “God answered all our prayers,” said the nurse’s aid.

The joyful crowd responded to the call with a chant, “Say His Name,” which was answered over and again by Ahmaud Albery.

Travis McMichael (35), who killed Arbery’s father Greg McMichael (65) and William Bryan (26) claimed that they believed Arbery to be a neighbor burglar. Jurors rejected this argument as self defense.

Cornell Harvey, a 68-year-old Brunswick mayor, expressed relief at the guilty verdicts. He was concerned about street violence, if the trial concluded in his favor.

His words were: “This time is one of joy, and not of sorrow.”

Sharon Blue Lee (65) is a retired teacher, and the President of the NAACP in her locality, who said that the verdicts had brought some justice into the community.

If anyone is unsure that America can provide justice for Black men, they should look at this. This country still has much work ahead of it to make justice fair for everyone.