Members of the hip-hop community are sharing their thoughts on social media following the shooting of two NYPD officers who were killed on Saturday (Dec. 20) in retaliation for the police chokehold death of Eric Garner.
Hip-Hop Moves As Strong Force for Michael Brown
Rappers like The Game, Azealia Banks, Lecrae and others took to Twitter and Instagram in the hours following the deadly Brooklyn shootings to express their thoughts and concerns about horrific act against the two cops. Prior to the shooting, suspect Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, wrote on Instagram: “I’m putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let’s take 2 of theirs,” officials say (via the Associated Press).
Ok, we CANNOT murder cops. We cannot give the government a reason to declare “State of Emergency” and whip out that Martial Law.
— CATTY NOIR (@AZEALIABANKS) December 21, 2014
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons offered his prayers to the families of fallen officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, while Banks urged her followers not to give the “government a reason to declare ‘State of Emergency’ and whip out that Martial Law.’”
The NYPD officer shootings comes at a time when many citizens around the country are protesting the Dec. 3 grand jury decision not to indict the officer responsible for Garner’s death. It followed another grand jury decision in Missouri not to indict a white officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
Read more reactions to the NYPD officer killings below.
Ok, we CANNOT murder cops. We cannot give the government a reason to declare “State of Emergency” and whip out that Martial Law.
— CATTY NOIR (@AZEALIABANKS) December 21, 2014
Sick to my stomach about the killing of these NYPD officers. More people dead, more families hurting, more division. God help us.
— Lecrae (@lecrae) December 20, 2014
I DONT condone any murder cops OR civilians.BUT those that think its karma,wheres your support on COOL C?Also accused political prisoners?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) December 21, 2014
No one deserves to be murdered in cold blood. Not cops, not young people of color.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) December 21, 2014
If one crazed murderer can delegitimize a non-violent protest movement, several crazed & unpunished murderer cops delegitimize the system.
— Saul Williams (@SaulWilliams) December 21, 2014
Prayers to the families of the NYPD officers who were killed today in Brooklyn.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 20, 2014