Music artists Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Justin Bieber are among the A-list of celebrities who have called for police reform in a new open letter.
The US music artists have joined forces with record labels such as Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group to support Congress’ Justice in Policing Act of 2020. Mariah Carey, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, the Jonas Brothers, Meek Mill, Post Malone, Grimes, Hailey Bieber, and Megan Thee Stallion are among the other high-profile stars throwing weight behind the campaign.
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It was sparked after the tragic death of George Floyd, who died last month after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes during an arrest. Floyd was suspected of a non-violent crime.
The open letter reads: “Since the killing of George Floyd just one month ago, our country has seen protests grow, attitudes shift, and calls for change intensify. We in the music and entertainment communities believe that Black lives matter and have long decried the injustices endured by generations of Black citizens.
“We are more determined than ever to push for federal, state, and local law enforcement programs that truly serve their communities. Accordingly, we are grateful for movement of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the US House of Representatives and urge its quick passage.”
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It continued on: “The Justice in Policing Act is not about marginal change; it takes bold steps that will make a real, positive difference for law enforcement and the communities they serve. ‘We celebrate the long-overdue rejection of qualified immunity, emphasizing that law enforcement officers themselves are not above the law – that bad cops must be held accountable and victims must have recourse.”
The act guarantees to ‘establish a national standard for the operation of police departments’, ‘mandate information collection on police encounters’, ‘reprogram present funds to spend money on’ community-based police packages, and ‘streamline federal law to prosecute extreme force’.
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It concludes: ‘Our communities and nation look to you to take a stand in this extraordinary moment and we respectfully ask that you vote YES on the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.’ Celebrities have come out in full support of police reform while others have joined Black Lives Matter protests around the world following Floyd’s death
