Jay- Z Issues Statement On Police Killing of George Floyd
UPDATE Monday, June 1: Following his call with Minnesota governor Tim Walz on Sunday (May 31), Jay-Z has issued an official statement on his Roc Nation account thanking Walz for having Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison, take over any prosecutions in response of the killing of George Floyd.
His statement reads:
"After our very earnest conversation, thank you to Governor Walz for doing what's right and calling in Attorney General Keith Ellison to take over the George Floyd case. Earlier today, Governor Walz mentioned having a human conversation with me - a dad and a Black man in pain. Yes, I am human, a father, and a Black man in pain and I am not the only one. Now I, along with an entire country in pain, call upon AG Ellison to do the right thing and prosecute all those responsible for the murder of George Floyd to the fullest extenet of the law. This is just a first step. I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors may have.
I prevail on every politician, prosecutor and officer in the country to have the courage to do what is right. Have the courage to look at us as humans, dads, brothers, sisters and mothers in pain at look at yourselves."
PREVIOUS: During a press conference on Sunday (May 31), Minnesota governor Tim Walz revealed that music mogul Jay-Z called to urge him to pursue full justice for George Floyd.
“I received a call last night — to understand how big this was — from Jay-Z. Not international performer but dad stressing to me that justice needs to be served,” Walz said from the podium.
Walz continued: “It was so incredibly human… It was a dad, and I think quite honestly a Black man whose visceral pain of this that he knew. His words summarized that justice needs to be served here.”
The only officer charged in Floyd’s death was Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. He faces third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, the other officers involved in the arrest of an unarmed and handcuffed Floyd have not been charged with a crime.
On Saturday, Beyoncé posted an Instagram video also demanding justice for Floyd.
“If you want to demand more charges brought on all those involved in the death of George Floyd, click the link in my bio to sign the petition,” Beyoncé wrote.
BET has been covering every angle of George Floyd’s death in police custody, other social justice cases and the subsequent aftermath and protests. For our continuing coverage, click here.
