Jay-Z – Roc Nation’s Open Letter Calls for Ahmaud Arbery Justice

Team Roc, Roc Nation’s social justice arm, released an open letter on Sunday, May 10th in the Atlanta Journal Constitution calling for action regarding the tragic murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

Open Letter for Ahmaud Arbery

The open letter, signed by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Alicia Keys, Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims, Robert “Meek Mill” Williams, Attorney Lee Merritt and Attorney Benjamin Crump and addressed to Georgia state offiicals, Governor Brian Kemp, Attorney General Christopher Carr and District Attorney Tom Durden, follows the arrest of Gregory and Travis McMichael and calls for swift action regarding the next steps in Ahamud Arbery’s murder case, noted below:

1. Ensure that a fair trial is conducted, as that can only lead to the appropriate felony convictions of both McMichaels.
2. Charge William Bryan as an armed accomplice to the crime.
3. Demand District Attorney Durden recuse himself from the case, as the elder McMichael is a former police officer—a clear conflict of interest for District Attorney Durden.
4. Calls for a special prosecutor to be appointed by Attorney General Carr, to preserve the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.

Concerning the case, Meek Mill stated, “Ahmaud Arbery’s life was tragically taken from his family and his community. Jogging is not a crime. We cannot and we will not give up the fight until his murderers are brought to justice.

“I am advocating for justice for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. If anybody saw that horrifying video of his killing, it is heartbreaking, unbelievably unacceptable and inhumane. No human being should be murdered and not receive justice. I have black sons and they should be able to go on a jog or anywhere they want without the risk of being killed,” commented Alicia Keys.

“We are all Ahmaud Arbery. Everyday activities should not end in death sentences. We must hold people responsible for their actions. Ahmaud Arbery was unarmed and innocent and his killers must be brought to justice.” added Yo Gotti.

“This family lost their son to an ambush by racist men.  A lynching. We demand a full investigation into not only these murderers but the legal system that protected them!” stated Attorney Lee Merritt.

Stated Attorney Benjamin Crump, “It’s outrageous that it has taken more than two months for Ahmaud Arbery’s executioners to be arrested, but better late than never. This is the first step to justice. This murderous father and son duo took the law into their own hands. It’s a travesty of justice that they enjoyed their freedom for 74 days after taking the life of a young black man who was simply jogging.”

Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old African-American man who, while out jogging in Brunswick, Glynn County, GA, was hunted down and shot to death by two white men, Gregory and Travis McMichael.

Their arrest yesterday on charges of murder and aggravated assault was a positive first step on the long road toward justice.

He was unarmed and innocent and the victim of a hate crime.

Team Roc will continue to fight for justice for Ahmaud Arbery and his family.