On Monday, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Migos, Megan Thee Sire, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill, Nas, and Demi Lovato signed an open letter to New York, to repeal the statute of 50-A of the state law that keeps the police officers, the staff of the disciplinary records and hidden from public view. “We regret the death of George Floyd and the unnecessary loss of so many black lives before his. We must hold accountable those who violate the oath to protect and serve, and seek justice for those who are victims of violence,” the letter reads. “A vital step is having access to the disciplinary records of the officers of the law. New York statute of 50 blocks, that full transparency, shielding of a history of police misconduct from public scrutiny, which makes it more difficult to seek justice and to carry out the reforms. It should be repealed immediately.”
“We urge members to recognize the moment, take one strong, bold, and significant step in the treatment of this systemic problem.”
The letter will be sent to the Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, New York Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly speaker Carl Heastie. Although Governor Cuomo includes the reform of 50-as part of its four-part reform package, the music community, considered that “50-a has been used very often in the past and, without repeal, will continue to be used to block justice.”
In solidarity with the community of music, 300 artists, actors, and athletes signed the letter, along with 200 individual supporters and organizations. The group believes that “it is not enough to weaken a 50-To; this stone in the path of righteousness has stood in the way, for far too long, and must be crushed completely”. The New York legislature is scheduled to vote on a series of reform bills on Monday, with all the signatories, stating that “we urge members to recognize the time, [and] take one strong, bold, and significant step in the treatment of this systemic problem.” Cuomo has said that he is “going to sign a bill the legislature passes.”
Read the full letter in The billboard and sign the petition to repeal the statute of 50 to here.
