Jay-Z's Team ROC Calls for Dismissal of Charges for Charleston Peaceful Protester
Jay-Z's Team ROC Outraged Over SC Protester's Arrest ... Wants Cops Punished
UPDATE
12:07 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the Charleston PD tells us Gee was just one of 38 people arrested that day for refusing to follow police orders. We're told Charleston police began enforcing city laws against unpermitted public gatherings of 50 or more individuals in an effort to stop vandalism in the city.
UPDATE
Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds tells us, "Mr. Jordan is part of an important movement that truly needs to be heard at this time, and we hope to continue to meet with him and others soon to discuss how we can work together to address the longstanding inequities that persist in our community."
UPDATE
It also appears Gee could get a break, because Chief Reynolds tells us, "At the appropriate time, I will have the opportunity to make recommendations in these cases, and will be requesting that prosecutors exercise leniency, up to and including dismissal, as the circumstances warrant."
Jay-Z and his social justice team are going after the Charleston PD, claiming officers violated the constitutional rights of a peaceful protester by hauling him off in handcuffs.
Jay's Team, ROC, is outraged over the arrest of Givionne "Gee" Jordan Jr., who told police he loves and respects them during a May 31 peaceful protest. Givionne wasn't even in the faces of the cops while speaking to them ... he was a good 20-feet away.
Still, they arrested him for disobeying a lawful order, and although he was released on $465 bond ... Team ROC says Gee is still facing charges, and has an upcoming court date. That doesn't sit well with Jay-Z and co.
Right after the arrest, attorney Jordan Siev sent a letter to the Charleston PD calling it “unconstitutional,” and demanded discipline for the officers responsible and a dismissal of the charges ... but to no avail.
Instead, an attorney for the PD wrote back ... "The City is continuing to navigate through the unprecedented and violent attack by rioters on the City and its citizens on Saturday May 30, 2020, and continues to hold the safety and security of citizens and visitors as a top priority."
Team ROC calls that response "lackluster," and say it deflects from Jordan Jr.'s case and the request to dismiss it.
Dania Diaz, Director of Philanthropy, says ... "We are outraged by the Charleston police department’s reprehensible arrest of Givionne Jordan Jr. -- not to mention their dismissive response to our concerns about their conduct. Giovionne’s arrest was unlawful and the Charleston police clearly violated his Constitutional right to peacefully protest. We applaud Givionne and demand that his charges are immediately dismissed."
Originally published -- 11:23 AM PT
