Entertainment Communities Unite To Support Police Reforms

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Many in the music and entertainment communities recently signed a letter supporting the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives and are urging its quick passage.
Among the letter’s signatories are ASCAP, Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), Arista Records, Justin Bieber, Death Cab For Cutie, Billie Eilish, Amy Grant, Josh Kear, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Becca Mancari, Chrissy Metz, Mac Powell, Rihanna, Bernie Taupin, and more.

The Justice in Policing Act rejects qualified immunity, bans police using chokeholds and no-knock warrants, ends racial and religious profiling, establishes a national police misconduct registry to collect data and improve investigations into police misconduct, and also promotes de-escalation practices and established comprehensive training programs.

The act also limits the transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local law enforcement, requires federal uniformed law enforcement to wear body cameras, and requires state and local law enforcement to use existing federal funds to ensure the use of police body cameras. The act also seeks to support critical community-based programs to change the culture of law enforcement and public safety.

The House of Representatives is expected to take up the legislation later this week on the issue.

Earlier this month, artists and music industry executives also signed a letter petitioning New York to repeal statute 50-A, which keeps police officers’ personnel and disciplinary records concealed.

See the full letter from artists supporting the Justice in Policing Act below:

June 23, 2020

Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
1236 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Republican Leader
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:

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,

Signatories

Lorie Hollabaugh
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