JAY-Z demands justice.
The Roc Nation mogul revealed on Sunday that he had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and called for the prosecution of the police officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
In his statement, which was shared on the Roc Nation social accounts, JAY thanked the Governor “for doing what’s right” and handing over the case to Attorney General Keith Ellison. JAY-Z urged Ellison to prosecute the men responsible for Floyd’s murder.
“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,” he said. “Earlier today, Governor Walz mentioned having a human conversation with me — a dad and a black man in pain. Yet, I am a human, a father and a black man in pain, and I am not the only one.”
JAY-Z said that he, along with the entire country, are in pain and asked that Ellison “do the right thing” and prosecute the four officers “to the fullest extent of the law.”
But this is only the start. He also pledged to continue the fight for justice. “I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors may have,” added JAY.
He called on politicians and police officers across the country to also take a stand for justice. “I prevail on every politician, prosecutor and officer in the country to have the courage to do what is right,” he wrote. “Have the courage to look at us as humans, dads, brothers, sisters and mothers in pain and look at yourselves.”
Walz addressed his conversation with JAY-Z during a press conference on Sunday. “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,” said the governor, according to ETOnline.com. “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.”
“He knows the world is watching, and how Minnesota handles this is going to have an impact across the country,” added Walz. “It’s a positive sign that someone of a stature, that has a presence like that, is focused in the moment of what Minnesotans are focused on.”
JAY-Z’s conversation with the governor comes after days of protests across the country following the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed after a now-former police officer held him down by the neck with his knee for more than eight minutes.
Four officers were fired for their roles in the incident. Derek Chauvin, who was filmed pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck, was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Many celebrities have spoken out to demand justice for Floyd including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Dr. Dre, while others like J. Cole, Ariana Grande, and Tinashe have participated in rallies.