Hundreds of Black pastors gather at Arbery trial after lawyer’s comments

Hundreds of Black pastors gathered at the Ahmaud Arbery trial on Thursday following comments made by a defense attorney, The Associated Press reports.

“We don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here,” defense attorney Kevin Gough said last week, objecting to the Rev. Al Sharpton’s presence at the trial.

In a show of solidarity against the comments, Black pastors formed a “Wall of Prayer” outside the Glynn County courthouse. Many carried signs displaying messages of protest, including “Black pastors matter.”

“No lawyer can knock us out. Because no matter where you are, God is there,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, according to the AP. “We are going to keep coming until we get justice.”

Other pastors echoed Jackson’s sentiments. Jamal H. Bryant, a pastor from Georgia, called Gough’s comments “absolutely unnecessary and distracting and polarizing,” per CNN.