Rihanna, Megan Thee Stallion Support NY Police Reform

Musicians sign open letter asking for removal of statute 50-A...

*Rihanna*, *Nas*, *Megan Thee Stallion* and more have signed an open letter asking for reform of the NYPD.

Currently, statute 50-A prevents police officers’ personnel and disciplinary records from reaching public view, a rule that has become highly controversial following the *George Floyd* case.

A high profile campaign is underway to have this repealed, and a new *open letter* has garnered some stellar support.

The letter has been signed by icons such as *Rihanna*, *Nas*, Billie Eilish, and Megan Thee Stallion, urging authorities to reform the NY police.

The letter can be found in full below:

We mourn the killing of George Floyd and the unnecessary loss of so many black lives before his.

We must hold accountable those who violate the oath to protect and serve, and find justice for those who are victim to their violence. An indispensable step is having access to disciplinary records of law enforcement officers. New York statute 50-A blocks that full transparency, shielding a history of police misconduct from public scrutiny, making it harder to seek justice and bring about reform. It must be repealed immediately.
It is not enough to chip away at 50-A; this boulder in the path of justice has stood in the way for far too long and must be crushed entirely. It is not just a misreading of the statute; it is not just an inappropriate broadening of its scope. It is the statute itself, serving to block relevant crucial information in the search for accountability.

We were pleased to hear the Governor’s statement that 50-A should not prohibit the release of disciplinary records. But, clearly, it is not enough. 50-A has been used far too often in the past and, without repeal, it will continue to be used to block justice. When the Legislature returns this week, we urge members to recognize the moment, take one loud, bold, and meaningful step in addressing this systemic problem, and swiftly repeal 50-A.

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Photo: *Creative Commons*

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