"Bad cops must be held accountable," says the letter, which was also signed by Mariah Carey, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, the Jonas Brothers, Migos, Future and more.
Major music companies including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Group — along with dozens of artists from Ariana Grande to Rihanna — have signed a letter urging Congress to support the newly-introduced Justice in Policing Act.
The legislation unveiled earlier this month, which the House of Representatives is expected to take up this week, intends to hold police accountable and end racial profiling. It includes orders to ban police use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants, establish a national police misconduct registry, promote de-escalation practices and create new police training programs, among other measures.
“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,” the letter reads. “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 list of signatories runs nearly 18 pages long, and also includes high-profile executives like Scooter Braun, Irving Azoff, Sony/ATV Music Publishing chairman and CEO Jon Platt and artist manager Ebonie Ward, who works with fellow signatories Future and Gunna. A wide range of music companies have also signed to show support, from Spotify to Dina LaPolt‘s LaPolt Law to Full Stop Management, plus organizations like the RIAA and Music Artists Coalition.
On the artist side, superstars like Post Malone, Nile Rodgers, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill and Nas all join the lengthy list, among others.
Earlier this month, many of these artists, executives and organizations also lent support to a successful repeal of New York state’s statute 50-A, which shielded police officers’ personnel and disciplinary records from public view.
Congress will consider the Justice in Policing Act amid recent protests across the country over racial injustice and police brutality, which erupted anew after Minnesota police officers killed George Floyd during an arrest in May. Since, the music community has rallied behind efforts to advocate for racial equality in the industry and beyond, like #TheShowMustBePaused and the Black Music Action Coalition, which was announced today.
See the full text of the letter below and at this link, where the full list of signatories can also be found.
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 U.S. House of Representatives and urge its quick passage.
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. We applaud the provisions to ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, to establish a national police misconduct registry, to collect data and improve investigations into police misconduct, to promote de-escalation practices, to establish comprehensive training programs, and to update and enhance standards and practices.
This legislation will not only promote justice; it will establish a culture of responsibility, fairness, and respect deserving of the badge. 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.
Thank you.
