Jay-Z bails Alvin Cole family, others arrested at Wisconsin protest out jail
The rap artist also posted bond and paid court fees for several demonstrators arrested protesting after authorities said a cop was justified in killing the teenager
Jay-Z has stepped up after the family of Alvin Cole, a Black teenager shot dead by Wisconsin police earlier this year, and others were arrested while protesting the decision not to charge the officer responsible for his death.
The billionaire rapper and Roc Nation’s social justice office, Team Roc, posted bond and paid court fees for Cole’s mother, Tracy Cole, and sisters, along with multiple other demonstrators who were detained in Wauwatosa, a city just west of Milwaukee. The amount paid for the efforts was not disclosed by the group, according to CBS News.
On February 2, Cole was shot outside of Mayfair Mall. According to a report by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Officer Joseph Mensah, also Black, responded to a call of a person seen with a gun at the mall. During a chase, Cole allegedly pointed a gun at Mensah who then shot the 17-year-old.
Chisholm held a press conference on Wednesday announcing Mensah was justified in using deadly force against Cole and was acting in self-defense. A protest ensued the day after at which his mother and her daughters, Taleavia, Tristiana and Tahudah, attended.
READ MORE: Mother, sisters of Alvin Cole arrested during protests
All of them were arrested during the demonstration.
A 7 p.m. curfew was issued in Wauwatosa, and the Coles were among dozens of people detained for being out about 9 p.m., as previously reported by theGrio.
Jay-Z, who’s real name is Shawn Carter, founded the Roc Nation entertainment company, which is a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment.
READ MORE: Derek Chauvin posts $1M bail after being charged with murder in George Floyd’s death
Dania Diaz, the executive director for Team Roc, stated that Tracey was injured during her arrest due to an officer’s use of “excessive force.” Diaz also said that the Coles were joined by Jacob Blake‘s father during the peaceful protest. Blake was shot in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August. The city is about an hour south of Wauwatosa.
“Our hearts break for the family of Alvin Cole and the Wauwatosa community,” Diaz stated.
In addition to paying bail for the Coles, Diaz also said that Team Roc would also foot the bill for their court fees.
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