October 12, 2020
Jay-Z Posts Bond For Alvin Cole’s Family Members and Other Wisconsin Protesters
After several protestors in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin were arrested due to authorities deciding not to charge a police officer with shooting and killing 17-year-old Alvin Cole, Hip-Hop billionaire and social justice activist Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter posted bond for a number of people arrested according to KGUN 9 On Your Side.
Jay-Z and the social justice arm of Roc Nation, Team ROC, have posted bond for a number of protesters arrested in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Protests have emerged in that city because authorities did not charge the police officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old teenager, Alvin Cole back on February 2.
Wauwatosa police have stated that 24 people were arrested last Thursday night while they were protesting the decision to not charge the police officer, Joseph Mensah, who shot and killed Cole. Among some of the protestors arrested were Alvin Cole’s mother, Tracy, and Alvin’s sisters.
In a statement issued Friday, Jay-Z and Team ROC called for Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to select a special prosecutor to “ensure justice is served.”
“Our hearts break for the family of Alvin Cole and the Wauwatosa community,” Team ROC Director Dania Dia said in a written statement. “Not only did the District Attorney’s Office fail to hold Officer Joseph Mensah accountable for killing Alvin, but the local police also arrested and injured Alvin’s mother Tracy and his sisters as they peacefully protested alongside Jacob Blake’s father. We will continue to stand with these families and support the peaceful protestors as we collectively fight for the legacies of Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson, and Anthony Gonzales, who all died at the hands of Mensah. It’s imperative that Governor Evers appoint a special prosecutor to immediately rectify this miscarriage of justice.”
Team ROC has also funded billboards calling for justice for Jacob Blake in the Kenosha area earlier this year.