Jay-Z showed his support of protesters this week by paying the fees for those arrested and fined in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where demonstrators are calling for justice in the death of Alvin Cole at the hands of police, according to a spokesperson for Team Roc.
The entrepreneur rapper and Team Roc -- the social justice arm of Roc Nation that Jay-Z founded -- offered their support after learning that no charges were brought against Joseph Mensah, the officer who shot Cole on February 2.
Cole was shot and killed outside a Wauwatosa mall when police responded to a disturbance call, police said.
Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber told reporters at the time that Cole fired a gun before an officer returned fire.Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm said there was "sufficient evidence" showing that Mensah believed deadly force was necessary and "that belief was objectively reasonable."
Chisholm's decision to not charge Mensah has sparked protests in the city. They come in the wake of national demonstrations over law enforcement's treatment of Black Americans.
Some two dozen people were arrested Thursday, two of whom asked for medical attention, Wauwatosa police said in a news release Friday. Alvin's mother and sisters were also arrested.
"Our hearts break for the family of Alvin Cole and the Wauwatosa community," Dania Diaz, director of Team Roc, said in a statement.
"Not only did the District Attorney's Office fail to hold Officer Joseph Mensah accountable for killing Alvin, but the local police also arrested and injured Alvin's mother Tracy and his sisters as they peacefully protested alongside Jacob Blake's father."
Jay-Z and Team Roc are also calling on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the shooting.In July, Jay-Z took out a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calling for Mensah's prosecution.
This isn't the first time Jay-Z has been vocal on social justice issues. The billionaire took out full-page ads across the country in dedication to George Floyd in June and in 2015 posted bail for protesters marching against police brutality.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana will take time to recover – Akorfa Edjeani
12 minutes -
Boakye Agyarko urges reforms to revitalise NPP after election defeat
30 minutes -
Finance Minister skips mini-budget presentation for third time
31 minutes -
‘ORAL’ team to work gratis – Ablakwa
39 minutes -
Affirmative Action Coalition condemns lack of gender quotas in Transition, anti-corruption teams
48 minutes -
December 7 election was a battle for the ‘soul of Ghana’ against NPP – Fifi Kwetey
49 minutes -
Social media buzzing ahead of Black Sherif’s ‘Zaama Disco’ on December 21
1 hour -
Afenyo-Markin still suffering from the massive defeat – Fifi Kwetey
1 hour -
Retain Afenyo-Markin as NPP leader, he has experience – Deputy Speaker
1 hour -
Kufuor didn’t leave behind a strong economy – Fifi Kwetey
1 hour -
It won’t be business as usual, remain humble – Fifi Kwetey to party members
2 hours -
Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror appointed as new Clerk to Parliament
3 hours -
Actress Benyiwaa of ‘Efiewura’ TV series dead
3 hours -
Ashanti Regional Chief Imam dies at age 74
4 hours -
Africa Arts Network calls for tax reform to save Ghana’s theatre industry
4 hours