Jay-Z demands justice for George Floyd. The influential rapper revealed on Sunday that he had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and called for the prosecution of the officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
The Roc Nation boss shared a statement on the company’s social accounts, where he thanked the Governor “for doing what’s right” and handing over the case to Attorney General Keith Ellison. He went further to task 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,” Jay 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.”
He reiterated that he, together with the entire country, is in pain and asked that Ellison “do the right thing” and prosecute the four officers “to the fullest extent of the law.” He as well pledged to continue the fight for justice. “I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors may have,” Jay-Z added.
Again, he called on politicians and police officers across the country to equally 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.”
Meanwhile, Governor, Tim Walz addressed his conversation with the billionaire rapper on Sunday during a press conference. “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,” the governor said, according to ETOnline. “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.”
Walz added, “He knows the world is watching, and how Minnesota handles this is going to have an impact across the country. 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 came after days of protest across the country following the murder of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, by a now-former white police officer, Derek Chauvin. All the four officers that played a role in Floyd’s death have been fired, including Derek, who was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Many celebrities have spoken out to demand justice for Floyd including Beyonce, Rihana, and Dr. Dre. Others like J. Cole, Ariana Grande, and Tinashe have all participated in the protests.
