Legendary rapper Jay-Z has released a statement regarding the death of George Floyd and his conversation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
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Jay posted the statement on Twitter through his REFORM Alliance organization's account. He thanks Walz for bringing in Attorney General Keith Ellison to lead the George Floyd case.
"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-Z says. "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 extent 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 and look at yourselves."
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Jay-Z Calls Minnesota Governor Demanding Justice For George Floyd
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said Jay-Z "the dad" called him to address the ongoing protests.
As people rally on the streets protesting the injustices that have gone on across America for too long, there have been numerous people pointing out that the biggest celebrities have been silent. However, many others have also been using their platforms to raise awareness of the bigger issues at hand. Though Jay-Z, one of the most powerful celebrities, hasn't made some statement on Instagram or Twitter, it appears that he's putting in work behind the scenes.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference this weekend revealing that he received a call from Jay-Z. "Receiving a call last night realizing how big this was. From Jay-Z -- not international perform but dad -- stressing to me that justice needs to be served," Governor Walz stated.
Fox News reports that it was Van Jones that connected Jay-Z and Govenor Walz. "It was so incredibly human," Walz said of his conversation with Jay. "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."
Adding, "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 Minnesotas are focused on."
