August 31st 2023.
Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has been leading the charge for criminal justice reform through the philanthropic and social justice arm of his entertainment company Roc Nation, known as Team ROC. Their latest cause is justice for Jermelle English Jr. of Wisconsin.
According to The Root, English was dining with his girlfriend and daughter at a local Applebee's when Kenosha Police falsely identified him as a suspect in a hit-and-run accident. He was then thrown to the ground with his daughter in his arms and punched in the face. His daughter suffered a head injury due to the incident.
In response, Team ROC's managing director Diana Diaz released a statement saying, “The reckless arrest of Jermelle English Jr. and the careless endangerment of his infant child by the Kenosha Police Department is an absolute travesty. Team ROC is here to support Jermelle and his family through this traumatic experience, demand justice, and hold the Kenosha police officers accountable.”
Even after police identified the real suspect, who was hiding in the bathroom of the establishment, English and his girlfriend were still arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, as well as possession of marijuana.
To help the family, Team ROC enlisted the help of veteran attorney Alex Spiro with the goal of having all the charges dropped. Jay-Z has also been actively working to decriminalize hip-hop lyrics. Along with Meek Mill, Drake, and Megan Thee Stallion, he has released an open letter called Art on Trial: Protect Black Art, in which they argue, “Rappers are storytellers, creating entire worlds populated with complex characters who can play both hero and villain. But more than any other art form, rap lyrics are essentially being used as confessions in an attempt to criminalize Black creativity and artistry.”
Jay-Z's commitment to criminal justice reform is inspiring, and his efforts are making a real difference in people's lives, including Jermelle English Jr. and his family. Hopefully, the charges against them will be dropped and justice will be served.
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