Jay Z, Russell Simmons Speak With Governor Cuomo Regarding Police Brutality

by DANIELLE HARLING

Russell Simmons says Governor Cuomo is willing to recruit special prosecutors for police brutality cases.

The New York Daily News reports that both Jay Z andRussell Simmons have had the opportunity to speak with the governor of New York about matters concerning police brutality and the criminal justice system.

According to Simmons, who previously worked with the governor to repeal drug laws, Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order calling for special prosecutors to handle future cases of police brutality. The Def Jam Records co-founder also reportedly spoke with Mayor Bill de Blasio about his concerns.

"I'm very excited about what the governor said," Simmons said during a City Hall protest earlier this week, reports the New York Daily News. "I'm going to hold him to it. I have a lot of faith in him. If he said he's going to issue an executive order, we can certainly count on it, but we'll make sure it happens."

While Simmons spoke with Governor Cuomo about police brutality, Brooklyn, New York rapper Jay Z reportedly engaged in a conversation with the governor this week about reviewing the criminal justice system.

"Gov. Cuomo and Shawn ‘JAY Z’ Carter had a productive conversation about doing a top to bottom review of the criminal justice system and how we can all work together to pass a reform package that ensures equality in the eyes of the law," Cuomo spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa said.

The various meetings with Governor Cuomo come days after a grand jury chose not to indict New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner.

The grand jury’s verdict has resulted in protests across the country. Among the Hip Hop artists who have taken part in the protests are J. Cole, Q-Tip, and Flavor Flav.