#IRunWithMaud trends on Twitter following arrest of two suspects in Georgia murder

The hashtag “IRunWithMaud” trended on Twitter Friday as supporters of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old unarmed black man whose family said he was fatally shot while jogging in Georgia earlier this year, came together to run 2.23 miles on the man’s birthday. 

Jason Vaughn, who was Arbery’s high school football coach, told CNN that the number of miles was symbolic of the day Arbery was shot and killed — Feb. 23. He would have turned 26 on Friday. 

Many celebrities and organizations took to social media to mark the honorary run.

Former NFL Player Torrey Smith tweeted, “I hate distance running but I hate our justice system and racism more. #irunwithmaud.” 

I hate distance running but I hate our justice system and racism more. #irunwithmaud pic.twitter.com/FEdOTliFuR

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) May 8, 2020

Tianna Bartoletta, an Olympic track and field athlete, shared a photo of herself running, writing: “Today, there will be many of us, of many races, running with you and for you. Running, as an act of defiance, an act of love, an act of solidarity. We’ll keep fighting for justice for you here. We’ll keep on. 2.23” 

Today, there will be many of us, of many races, running with you and for you. Running, as an act of defiance, an act of love, an act of solidarity. We’ll keep fighting for justice for you here. We’ll keep on. 2.23 #irunwithmaud pic.twitter.com/IWdMN61sop

— Tianna T. Bartoletta (@tibartoletta) May 8, 2020

NFL player Malcolm Jenkins tweeted, “Sending blessing to his family and loved ones. We must continue to keep his name uplifted until he gets justice in the courts. We must use this tragedy to spring us into action. We want #justiceforahmaud and until then #irunwithmaud.” 

.#ahmaudarbery Sending blessing to his family and loved ones. We must continue to keep his name uplifted until he gets justice in the courts. We must use this tragedy to spring us into action. We want #justiceforahmaud and until then #irunwithmaud ✊https://t.co/tqk5nP2yil pic.twitter.com/gIPeCqbn8U

— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) May 8, 2020

Other celebrities and groups also used the hashtag to raise awareness about the run and Arbery’s death. 

Tomorrow would have been #AhmaudArbery’s 26th birthday. Run with me to honor him and raise awareness about racism and injustice in this country. #IrunwithMaud pic.twitter.com/q6xfQwoSnq

— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) May 7, 2020

We join in solidarity to remember Ahmaud Arbery and for everyone’s right to run safely. #IrunwithMaud https://t.co/A6AKTxVZGF

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) May 8, 2020

This young man was jogging, and was hunted down and killed for absolutely no reason other than the color of his skin. His name is Ahmaud Arbery. I join everyone calling out for #JusticeForAhmaud and I’m sending all of my love to his family. #IRunWithMaud pic.twitter.com/HKkrspFj9d

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 7, 2020

Today would have been #AhmaudArbery‘s 26th birthday. A senseless tragedy that every one of us should take personally. I didn’t know know Ahmaud, but my heart grieves for his family, his friends, and for our country. We are better than this. We must do better. #IrunwithMaud pic.twitter.com/FsXNJ2HePy

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) May 8, 2020

A white father and son accused of fatally shooting Arbery were arrested Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations confirmed. The men, Gregory McMichael, 64, and Travis McMichael, 34, were charged with murder and aggravated assault. The men allegedly chased Arbery in a pickup truck claiming that he was a burglar responsible for a series of break-ins in the area.