The Black Lives Matter movement has been making several notable moves across the music industry, from the #BlackOutTuesday which occurred at the beginning of the month, to the appearance of musicians at various George Floyd protests across the country. While several prominent artists such as John Legend, Lizzo and The Weeknd have already signed letter in support of defunding the police a new open letter has been circulating across the industry in support of police reform via the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which has already received support from prominent artists such as Nas, Billie Eilish, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and deadmau5, among a plethora of many other notable musicians.
Other prominent artists who have signed the letter include TV On the Radio, Best Coast, Blondie, Grimes, Coheed and Cambria, Aloe Blacc, Death Cab for Cutie, Animal Collective, Future, James Blake, Joji, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, ODESZA, Princess Nokia, Touché Amoré, Robert Glasper, RZA, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, The-Dream, YG and Zachary Cole Smith of DIIV.
This letter calls for various reforms, urging for law enforcement to be held accountable for their actions, ending religious and racial profiling, banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants, requiring body cameras, investigating police misconduct and a change of law enforcement culture.
It also urges for an end to “qualified immunity” a contentious law which protects a government official from lawsuits alleging that an official violated a plaintiff’s rights, unless this violation was “clearly established.” May critics argue that these laws allow police officers to violate constitutional rights with impunity.
“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 letter explains.
This bill is named after George Floyd, an African-American man who passed away soon after fired police officer Derek Chauvin was shown on video pressing his knee against his neck. Chauvin, alongside the three other officers involved in the incident, have all been arrested.
Read the full letter here or down below:
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.
Artists and Actors
6lack
070 Shake
99 Neighbors
Aaron Parks
Abraham Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Adeniyi Adelekan
Adrian Daniel
Adrian Oropeza (After The Burial)
Adrianne Lenker
AJ McLean
AJR
Alain Macklovitch (A-Trak)
Alana Rocklin (STS9)
Alex Deleon (Bohnes)
Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low)
Alexander Frankel
Ali Tamposi
Alisa Ramirez, Cristal Ramirez, Katie Henderson & McKenna Petty p/k/a “The Aces”
Alissa Violet
Aloe Blacc
Aluna / AlunaGeorge
Alvin Worthy (Westside Gunn)
Alyssa Milano
Amanda Fairey
Amy Grant
Amy Thomson
Anastasia Karanikolaou
Anderson .Paak
Andrew Bazzi p/k/a “Bazzi”
Andrew Glass (We Came As Romans)
Andrew Thomas
Angel Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Angela Aguilar
Angie Martinez
Angie Rose
Animal Collective
Anitta
Anthony Notarmaso (After The Burial)
Anthony Russo
Aqil Davidson
Ariana Grande
Ariel Rechtshaid
Arunan Balasurbramanian (Saves the Day)
Asa Taccone (Electric Guest)
ASAP Ferg
Ashley Dyke
Asian Doll
Barfbag
Barrie Lindsay
Becca Mancari
Ben Schneider, Miguel Briseno, Tom Renaud & Mark Barry p/k/a “Lord Huron”
Benjamin Gebert (Haerts)
Bernie Taupin
Best Coast
Big Thief
Big Wild
Billie Eilish
Billy Porter
Bishop Briggs
Blake Mills
Blondie
Bob Moses
Bobby McKeon (4B)
Bobby Sessions
Boogie
Bradley Walden (Emarosa)
Brennan Savage
Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem)
Brian Tyree-Henry
Brian Weitz (Geologist)
Bryan Giles
Bryce Love
CAKE
Carlos Cid p/k/a “Cid”
Carlos Perez
Celeste Krishna
Chantel Jeffries
Charlie Sloth
Charly Bliss
Chase B
Chino Braxton
Chloe Kohanski p/k/a “chloe mk”
Chris Anokute
Chris Chalk
Chris Cohen
Chris Sullivan
Chrissy Metz
Christina DiBiase
Christina Gebert (Haerts)
Christina Schneider (Locate S,1)
Christopher Conley (Saves the Day)
Claire Boucher p/k/a “Grimes”
Clarissa Molina
Claudio Olachea
Claudio Rivera (Saves the Day)
Claudio Sanchez (Coheed and Cambria)
Clayton Stevens (Touché Amoré)
ClickNPress
Cole Browning (Reptaliens)
Cole Whittle
Cory Henry
Courtney Amis
Creighton Irons
Curtis Peoples
Cynthia Erivo
Damon Sharpe
Dan Carle (After The Burial)
Danielle Brisebois
Danny Rukasin (Best Friends Music)
Danny K. Bernstine
Darius Scott
Dave East
Dave Stephens (We Came As Romans)
David A. Stewart
David Ben-David
David Biral
David Dastmalchian
David Guetta
David Phipps (STS9)
David Portner (Avey Tare)
David Puckett (We Came As Romans)
David Sitek (TV on the Radio)
David Styles (The Lox)
Dawn Landes
deadmau5
Deal Casino (Joe Parella, Joe Cowell, Jon Rodney)
DeathbyRomy
Death Cab for Cutie
Debbie Hennessey
Debra Messing
Demi Lovato
Deon Douglas
Desmond Jackson
Diamonte Harper pka Saweetie
Diana Navarro
Dillon Francis
Dinah Jane
DJ Battlecat
DJ Pauly D
Don Toliver
Dorothy Martin (Dorothy)
DRAM
Dre Skull
Dylan Bauld (flor)
Earnest White (Emarosa)
Earth, Wind & Fire: Phillip Bailey, Verdine White & Ralph Johnson
Eddie Vedder
EDEN
Elizabeth Johnston
Elliot Babin (Touché Amoré)
Elohim
Emily King
Erick Hansel (Chon)
Esiah Camarena (Chon)
Evvie McKinney
Finneas O’Connell
Flavia Watson
Freddie Kennett (Louis The Child)
Future
Gabbie Hanna
Gabrielle Carteris
Garret Dillahunt
Gata
Gavin Casewell (Senses Fail)
Gene Moore
Gilligan Moss
Glenn Davis
Goldilocks
Grandson
Grant-Lee Phillips
Greg Styliadess (Senses Fail)
Gunna
Hailey Bieber
Hans Berg
Harvey Mason jr.
Hunter Brown (STS9)
Israel Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Jack Barakat (All Time Low)
Jack Johnson
Jacob Banks
Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach)
Jaden “jxdn” Hossler
Jaime Meline (El-p of Run the Jewels)
Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio)
Jamari Jones
James Blake
James King (Fitz and The Tantrums)
James Nielsen (Senses Fail)
Jason George
Jason Milbank (Senses Fail)
Jason Phillips (The Lox)
Javier Reyess (Animals As Leaders)
Jay Gwuapo
Jeffree Lerner (STS9)
Jennah Bell
Jeremie Pennick (Benny The Butcher)
Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré)
Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Jerry Horton (Papa Roach)
Jessie Reyez
Jessica A. Sobhraj
Jessica Rodriguez
Jetsonmade
Jill McCormick
Jobeth Williams
Joe Goldberg
Joe Jackson
Joe Perry
Joe Young
Joey Ryan (The Milk Carton Kids)
John Harris
John C. Riley
John Wicks (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Joji
Jojo
Jon Michael Hill
Jonas Brothers
Jonathan “Zeke” Hutchins
Jonathan Traylor
Jordy van Egmond (Dyro)
Jośe James
Joseph Cartagena (Fat Joe)
Joseph Karnes (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Josh Eppard (Coheed and Cambria)
Josh Gad
Josh Kear
Josh Neuman
Josh Richards
Josh Ritter
Joshua Dibb (Deakin)
Joshua Moore (We Came As Romans)
Journey
Jozzy
Julian Okwara
Justin Bieber
Justin Hartley
K.D. Chalk
Kahbran White
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Kameron Alexander
Kamtin Mohager (The Chain Gang of 1975)
Kedr Livanskiy
Kehlani
Keli Kickham
Kelis Rogers
Kelly Rowland
Kelsey Calemine
Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids)
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiernan Forbes p/k/a “AKA”
Kim Fields
Kirstin Maldonado
Kyle Hill (flor)
Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio)
L’FREAQ (Lea Cappelli)
Lance Reddick
Laura Bergstein
Lauren Flax
Lauren Jauregui
Lawrence Rothman
Layton Greene
Lee Ritenour
Leon Bridges
Leon Thomas
Leslie Odom Jr.
Lil Dicky
Lil Tjay
Lina Tullgren
Livingston
Lizzo
Loren Gray
Lou Cotton (We Came As Romans)
LSDREAM
Lucy Hale
Ludwig Goransson
Luke James
Lunice Ferman Pierre (Lunice)
M the Myth
M. Ward
Mac Powell
Mackned (William Gable)
Maeta Hall (Maeta)
Maggie Vail
Mahershala Ali
Mandolyn Ludlum
Mandy Moore
Marco Masis (Tainy)
Mariah Carey
Mario Camarena (Chon)
Mark Ronson
Marlanna Evans
Marlo “Yo Gotti” Mims
Mary J. Blige
Mary Wilson
Matt Gartska (Animals As Leaders)
Matthew Brue (Missio)
Matthew Carlson (RIPMATTBLACK)
Matthew Hauri (Yung Gravy)
Matthew Marcellus (Emarosa)
Matthew Montfort
McKinley Kitts (flor)
Meek Mill
Megan Ryte
Megan Thee Stallion
Meghan Trainor
Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Michelle Williams
Migos
Miguel
Mike Elizondo
Mike Farrell
Miles Parks McCollum (Lil Yachty)
Milo Ventimiglia
MK (Marc Kinchen)
Molly Burch
Molly Hamilton (Widowspeak)
Money Marr
Monica Lewinsky
Morgan Kibby (White Sea)
Nana Kwabena Tuffuor
Nasir Jones p/k/a “Nas”
Nathan Camarena (Chon)
Nathan Fox
Nedarb (Braden Morgan)
Nick Kwiatkoski
Nick Steinhardt (Touché Amoré)
Nick Weiller (Bro Safari)
Nicole Bus
NIKI
Nile Rodgers
Noah Lennox (Panda Bear)
Noelle Scaggs (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Normani Hamilton pka Normani
nothing,nowhere.
ODESZA (Harrison Mills & Clayton Knight)
Offset
Oliver Riot
Olivia O’Brien
Omar Offendum
Om’Mas Keith
Ondara
Onyx Collective
Otis Williams
Papa Roach
Parson James
Patrick Baril (Statik Selektah)
Paula Abdul
Pepe Aguilar
Perta
Peter CottonTale
Peter Rosenberg
Phil Good
Poo Bear
Post Malone
Princess Nokia
Pussycat Dolls
Rebecca Damon
Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca M. Lish
Rian Dawson (All Time Low)
Rich Brian
Richie Sambora
Ricky Dillard
Rihanna
Rinzen
Robby Hauldren (Louis The Child)
Robert De Niro
Robert Glasper
Robert Joffred (Emarosa)
Robert Thomas (Widowspeak)
Robin Thicke
Rock Mafia
Rodrigo Palma (Saves the Day)
Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury)
Romeo Okwara
Ronnie Stanley
Rosanne Cash
Ryan Raddon p/k/a Kaskade
RZA
S.G. Goodman
Saint Jhn
Sara Bareilles
Sarah Paulson
SASAMI
SAYMYNAME
Scott Bakula
Scott Holiday (Rival Sons)
SEAL
Sean Astin
Sean Jacobs (The Lox)
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson (Big Sean)
Sebastian Baldeon Leon (Diablo)
Sharon Van Etten
Shawn Mendes
She & Him
Sheck Wes
Shelley Fabares
Shepard Fairey
Sherri Shepherd
Sian
Siedah Garrett
Social House
Sophia Montero p/k/a Angelic
Sophie Hintze
Stark Sands
Sterling K. Brown
Steve Carey (Senses Fail)
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry
Summer Walker
Susan Kelechi-Watson
Take a Daytrip
Tamara Browning (Reptaliens)
Tanya Phillips (TATYANA)
Tayla Parx
Taylor Tomlinson
Teeklef (Ebuka Unogu)
Terius Nash (The-Dream)
Thaddis Harrell (Kuk Harrell)
Thalia Mosaia Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
The-Dream
The New Respects
Thee Sacred Souls
Tift Merritt
Tim Dehnert (TRACES)
Tim Nichols
Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach)
Tommy Bruce
Tommy English
Tony Palermo (Papa Roach)
Tori Kelly
Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
Travis Mills
Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria)
Trent Hafdhal (After The Burial)
Trinity Bailey
Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio)
Turbo
Tye Tribbett
Tyler Kirby (Touché Amoré)
Tyron William Griffith (Ty Dolla $ign)
Valentino Khan
VERNON REID
Vic Mensa
Victory Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Wax Chattels
Wesley Pentz p/k/a “Diplo”
William Philips (Tourist)
Wilsen
YG
Young Guru
Yvette Nicole Brown
Zach Grace (flor)
Zach Velmer (STS9)
Zachary Cole Smith (DIIV)
Zachary Dawes
Zack Merrick (All Time Low)
Zooey Deschanel
Organizations and Supporters
Abi Getto, Vanta Artists
Adam Alpert (Disruptor Records)
Adam Foley
Adam Harrison (Full Stop Management)
Adam Zia, Esq.
Agustin Mota
Akil Channer
Alec DeCrosta
Alex Remes
Alexandra Greenberg, Falcon Publicity
Ali Harnell
Allison Kaye
Ally Ehasz
Amanda Schupf
Amanda Silverman (Lede Company)
Amir Cash Esmaillian (XO Records)
Amy Thomson
Ana Ruiz (Drive Music Publishing)
Anders Borge
Andrea Johnson
Andrea Vera
Andrew Gertler
Andrew Orcutt, Esq.
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Anthony Saleh
Ari Bernstein
Ariana Shakibnia
Arista Records
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Ashaunna K Ayars
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Brandon Zmigrocki
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Chad Horton
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Columbia Records
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Ebonie Ward (Emagen)
Edward Rios
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Elektra Music Group
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Jojo Benton
Jon Platt
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Jonathan “Zeke” Hutchins
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Kelly Bartley
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Laurence Leader
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Lulu M. Pantin, Esq.
LVRN
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Meezy Entertainment, LLC
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Michael Grinspan
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Michael Rexford, Esq.
Michael Rubin
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Michele Fleischi
Michelle Martinez
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Motion Picture Association (MPA)
Motisola Zulu, Esq.
Motown Records
Music Artists Coalition (MAC)
Music Biz
Music Managers Forum – US (MMF-US)
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Ria Otero
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Richburg Enterprises LLC
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Tamara Milagros-Butler, Esq.
Taylor Sargent
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Tiffany Carter
Tiffany R. Almy, Esq.
Timeline Management
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Tommas Arnby (Locomotion)
Tommy Bruce
Tony Couch
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Willie “Prophet” Stiggers
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Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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