On Dec. 1, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition held its second annual social justice summit at New York City’s Javits Center. More than 3,500 people attended, according to the organization.
Among those who appeared at the event were New York Attorney General Letitia James, radio personality Charlamagne Tha God, Until Freedom co-founder Tamika Mallory, and recording artist Fat Joe, who spread the word on social media.
Complex reported that during his panel, which included the families of Sean Bell and Danroy “DJ” Henry, both of whom were shot by police, Fat Joe discussed the use of rap lyrics in criminal cases and defended Young Thug, who’s in the midst of a RICO trial.
“I’ve been rapping professionally
for 30 years. I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe stated at the summit. “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.”The inaugural United Justice Coalition Summit took place in July 2022. The 45-plus speakers included multiplatinum recording artist Yo Gotti; national civil rights attorney Ben Crump; CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Dr. Bernice A. King;
and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Rachael Rollins.The United Justice Coalition (UJC) is an organization that seeks to raise awareness around key social justice issues and the need for criminal justice reform.
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