News

Washington, D.C. (June 23, 2020) — Today, the music and entertainment communities united to release a letter supporting the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives and urging its quick passage.

The Justice in Policing Act takes bold steps that will make a real, positive difference for law enforcement and the communities they serve. It rejects so-called qualified immunity, emphasizing that law enforcement officers themselves are not above the law. It also bans police using chokeholds and no-knock warrants, establishes a national police misconduct registry to collect data and improve investigations into police misconduct, promotes de-escalation practices and established comprehensive training programs.

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

The enclosed list is a growing document that includes all music and entertainment community members who support the hard work that has set the stage for this landmark reform.

The letter is below, and a full list of signatories is available here.

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 

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For more information, please contact:

Carla Sacks (Sacks & Co.)
carla@sacksco.com

K. Kim Atterbury (RIAA)
katterbury@riaa.com