Hundreds Of Actors & Recording Artists Urge Passage Of Justice In Policing Act; SAG-AFTRA, MPA, RIAA Join Call To Action

David Robb
·14 min read

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In the wake of George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police, more than 700 actors, recording artists and entertainment and music industry organizations and their supporters have signed a letter urging swift passage of the Justice in Policing Act. The bill pending in the House of Representatives would ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, limit military-style equipment on American streets and make lynching a federal crime.

The legislation would also make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and enable individuals to recover damages in civil court by eliminating qualified immunity for law enforcement officers who use excessive force. See the letter and its full list of signatories and supporters below.

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Signers of the letter, which has been sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, include SAG-AFTRA, the Motion Picture Association, the Recording Industry Association of America, the Songwriters Guild of America and the Association of Independent Music Publishers, as well as most of the major record labels.

Actors who signed include Robert De Niro, SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris, Kiefer Sutherland, Michelle Williams, Sterling K. Brown, Alyssa Milano, Jobeth Williams, John C. Riley, Mike Farrell, Scott Bakula, Sean Astin and Zooey Deschanel.

Recording artists who signed include Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Demi Lovato, Lizzo, Justin Bieber, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Eddie Vedder, the Jonas Brothers, Richie Sambora, Journey, Blondie, Robin Thicke, Paula Abdul, Rosanne Cash and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Record labels that signed include Motown Records, the Sony Music Group, Warner Records, RCA Records, Columbia Records, the Elektra Music Group, and Epic Records. Other notable signers include Elon Musk and Irving Azoff.

“Since the killing of George Floyd just one month ago,” the letter states, “our country has seen protests grow, attitudes shift, and calls for change intensify. We in the music and entertainment communities believe that Black lives matter and have long decried the injustices endured by generations of Black citizens. We are more determined than ever to push for federal, state, and local law enforcement programs that truly serve their communities. Accordingly, we are grateful for movement of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives and urge its quick passage.

“The Justice in Policing Act is not about marginal change; it takes bold steps that will make a real, positive difference for law enforcement and the communities they serve. We celebrate the long-overdue rejection of qualified immunity, emphasizing that law enforcement officers themselves are not above the law – that bad cops must be held accountable and victims must have recourse. We applaud the provisions to ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, to establish a national police misconduct registry, to collect data and improve investigations into police misconduct, to promote de-escalation practices, to establish comprehensive training programs, and to update and enhance standards and practices.

“This legislation will not only promote justice; it will establish a culture of responsibility, fairness, and respect deserving of the badge. Our communities and nation look to you to take a stand in this extraordinary moment and we respectfully ask that you vote YES on the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.”

Here is the full letter, followed by the list of its signatories and supporters:

Artists and Actors

6lack
070 Shake
99 Neighbors
Aaron Parks
Abraham Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Adeniyi Adelekan
Adrian Daniel
Adrian Oropeza (After The Burial)
Adrianne Lenker
AJ McLean
AJR
Alain Macklovitch (A-Trak)
Alana Rocklin (STS9)
Alex Deleon (Bohnes)
Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low)
Alexander Frankel
Ali Tamposi
Alisa Ramirez, Cristal Ramirez, Katie Henderson & McKenna Petty p/k/a “The Aces”
Alissa Violet
Aloe Blacc
Aluna / AlunaGeorge
Alvin Worthy (Westside Gunn)
Alyssa Milano
Amanda Fairey
Amy Grant
Amy Thomson
Anastasia Karanikolaou
Anderson .Paak
Andrew Bazzi p/k/a “Bazzi”
Andrew Glass (We Came As Romans)
Andrew Thomas
Angel Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Angela Aguilar
Angie Martinez
Angie Rose
Animal Collective
Anitta
Anthony Notarmaso (After The Burial)
Anthony Russo
Aqil Davidson
Ariana Grande
Ariel Rechtshaid
Arunan Balasurbramanian (Saves the Day)
Asa Taccone (Electric Guest)
ASAP Ferg
Ashley Dyke
Asian Doll
Barfbag
Barrie Lindsay
Becca Mancari
Ben Schneider, Miguel Briseno, Tom Renaud & Mark Barry p/k/a “Lord Huron”
Benjamin Gebert (Haerts)
Bernie Taupin
Best Coast
Big Thief
Big Wild
Billie Eilish
Billy Porter
Bishop Briggs
Blake Mills
Blondie
Bob Moses
Bobby McKeon (4B)
Bobby Sessions
Boogie
Bradley Walden (Emarosa)
Brennan Savage
Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem)
Brian Tyree-Henry
Brian Weitz (Geologist)
Bryan Giles
Bryce Love
CAKE
Carlos Cid p/k/a “Cid”
Carlos Perez
Celeste Krishna
Chantel Jeffries
Charlie Sloth
Charly Bliss
Chase B
Chino Braxton
Chloe Kohanski p/k/a “chloe mk”
Chris Anokute
Chris Chalk
Chris Cohen
Chris Sullivan
Chrissy Metz
Christina DiBiase
Christina Gebert (Haerts)
Christina Schneider (Locate S,1)
Christopher Conley (Saves the Day)
Claire Boucher p/k/a “Grimes”
Clarissa Molina
Claudio Olachea
Claudio Rivera (Saves the Day)
Claudio Sanchez (Coheed and Cambria)
Clayton Stevens (Touché Amoré)
ClickNPress
Cole Browning (Reptaliens)
Cole Whittle
Cory Henry
Courtney Amis
Creighton Irons
Curtis Peoples
Cynthia Erivo
Damon Sharpe
Dan Carle (After The Burial)
Danielle Brisebois
Danny Rukasin (Best Friends Music)
Danny K. Bernstine
Darius Scott
Dave East
Dave Stephens (We Came As Romans)
David A. Stewart
David Ben-David
David Biral
David Dastmalchian
David Guetta
David Phipps (STS9)
David Portner (Avey Tare)
David Puckett (We Came As Romans)
David Sitek (TV on the Radio)
David Styles (The Lox)
Dawn Landes
deadmau5
Deal Casino (Joe Parella, Joe Cowell, Jon Rodney)
DeathbyRomy
Death Cab for Cutie
Debbie Hennessey
Debra Messing
Demi Lovato
Deon Douglas
Desmond Jackson
Diamonte Harper pka Saweetie
Diana Navarro
Dillon Francis
Dinah Jane
DJ Battlecat
DJ Pauly D
Don Toliver
Dorothy Martin (Dorothy)
DRAM
Dre Skull
Dylan Bauld (flor)
Earnest White (Emarosa)
Earth, Wind & Fire: Phillip Bailey, Verdine White & Ralph Johnson
Eddie Vedder
EDEN
Elizabeth Johnston
Elliot Babin (Touché Amoré)
Elohim
Emily King
Erick Hansel (Chon)
Esiah Camarena (Chon)
Evvie McKinney
Finneas O’Connell
Flavia Watson
Freddie Kennett (Louis The Child)
Future
Gabbie Hanna
Gabrielle Carteris
Garret Dillahunt
Gata
Gavin Casewell (Senses Fail)
Gene Moore
Gilligan Moss
Glenn Davis
Goldilocks
Grandson
Grant-Lee Phillips
Greg Styliadess (Senses Fail)
Gunna
Hailey Bieber
Hans Berg
Harvey Mason jr.
Hunter Brown (STS9)
Israel Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Jack Barakat (All Time Low)
Jack Johnson
Jacob Banks
Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach)
Jaden “jxdn” Hossler
Jaime Meline (El-p of Run the Jewels)
Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio)
Jamari Jones
James Blake
James King (Fitz and The Tantrums)
James Nielsen (Senses Fail)
Jason George
Jason Milbank (Senses Fail)
Jason Phillips (The Lox)
Javier Reyess (Animals As Leaders)
Jay Gwuapo
Jeffree Lerner (STS9)
Jennah Bell
Jeremie Pennick (Benny The Butcher)
Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré)
Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Jerry Horton (Papa Roach)
Jessie Reyez
Jessica A. Sobhraj
Jessica Rodriguez
Jetsonmade
Jill McCormick
Jobeth Williams
Joe Goldberg
Joe Jackson
Joe Perry
Joe Young
Joey Ryan (The Milk Carton Kids)
John Harris
John C. Riley
John Wicks (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Joji
Jojo
Jon Michael Hill
Jonas Brothers
Jonathan “Zeke” Hutchins
Jonathan Traylor
Jordy van Egmond (Dyro)
Jośe James
Joseph Cartagena (Fat Joe)
Joseph Karnes (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Josh Eppard (Coheed and Cambria)
Josh Gad
Josh Kear
Josh Neuman
Josh Richards
Josh Ritter
Joshua Dibb (Deakin)
Joshua Moore (We Came As Romans)
Journey
Jozzy
Julian Okwara
Justin Bieber
Justin Hartley
K.D. Chalk
Kahbran White
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Kameron Alexander
Kamtin Mohager (The Chain Gang of 1975)
Kedr Livanskiy
Kehlani
Keli Kickham
Kelis Rogers
Kelly Rowland
Kelsey Calemine
Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids)
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiernan Forbes p/k/a “AKA”
Kim Fields
Kirstin Maldonado
Kyle Hill (flor)
Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio)
L’FREAQ (Lea Cappelli)
Lance Reddick
Laura Bergstein
Lauren Flax
Lauren Jauregui
Lawrence Rothman
Layton Greene
Lee Ritenour
Leon Bridges
Leon Thomas
Leslie Odom Jr.
Lil Dicky
Lil Tjay
Lina Tullgren
Livingston
Lizzo
Loren Gray
Lou Cotton (We Came As Romans)
LSDREAM
Lucy Hale
Ludwig Goransson
Luke James
Lunice Ferman Pierre (Lunice)
M the Myth
M. Ward
Mac Powell
Mackned (William Gable)
Maeta Hall (Maeta)
Maggie Vail
Mahershala Ali
Mandolyn Ludlum
Mandy Moore
Marco Masis (Tainy)
Mariah Carey
Mario Camarena (Chon)
Mark Ronson
Marlanna Evans
Marlo “Yo Gotti” Mims
Mary J. Blige
Mary Wilson
Matt Gartska (Animals As Leaders)
Matthew Brue (Missio)
Matthew Carlson (RIPMATTBLACK)
Matthew Hauri (Yung Gravy)
Matthew Marcellus (Emarosa)
Matthew Montfort
McKinley Kitts (flor)
Meek Mill
Megan Ryte
Megan Thee Stallion
Meghan Trainor
Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Michelle Williams
Migos
Miguel
Mike Elizondo
Mike Farrell
Miles Parks McCollum (Lil Yachty)
Milo Ventimiglia
MK (Marc Kinchen)
Molly Burch
Molly Hamilton (Widowspeak)
Money Marr
Monica Lewinsky
Morgan Kibby (White Sea)
Nana Kwabena Tuffuor
Nasir Jones p/k/a “Nas”
Nathan Camarena (Chon)
Nathan Fox
Nedarb (Braden Morgan)
Nick Kwiatkoski
Nick Steinhardt (Touché Amoré)
Nick Weiller (Bro Safari)
Nicole Bus
NIKI
Nile Rodgers
Noah Lennox (Panda Bear)
Noelle Scaggs (Fitz and The Tantrums)
Normani Hamilton pka Normani
nothing,nowhere.
ODESZA (Harrison Mills & Clayton Knight)
Offset
Oliver Riot
Olivia O’Brien
Omar Offendum
Om’Mas Keith
Ondara
Onyx Collective
Otis Williams
Papa Roach
Parson James
Patrick Baril (Statik Selektah)
Paula Abdul
Pepe Aguilar
Perta
Peter CottonTale
Peter Rosenberg
Phil Good
Poo Bear
Post Malone
Princess Nokia
Pussycat Dolls
Rebecca Damon
Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca M. Lish
Rian Dawson (All Time Low)
Rich Brian
Richie Sambora
Ricky Dillard
Rihanna
Rinzen
Robby Hauldren (Louis The Child)
Robert De Niro
Robert Glasper
Robert Joffred (Emarosa)
Robert Thomas (Widowspeak)
Robin Thicke
Rock Mafia
Rodrigo Palma (Saves the Day)
Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury)
Romeo Okwara
Ronnie Stanley
Rosanne Cash
Ryan Raddon p/k/a Kaskade
RZA
S.G. Goodman
Saint Jhn
Sara Bareilles
Sarah Paulson
SASAMI
SAYMYNAME
Scott Bakula
Scott Holiday (Rival Sons)
SEAL
Sean Astin
Sean Jacobs (The Lox)
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson (Big Sean)
Sebastian Baldeon Leon (Diablo)
Sharon Van Etten
Shawn Mendes
She & Him
Sheck Wes
Shelley Fabares
Shepard Fairey
Sherri Shepherd
Sian
Siedah Garrett
Social House
Sophia Montero p/k/a Angelic
Sophie Hintze
Stark Sands
Sterling K. Brown
Steve Carey (Senses Fail)
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry
Summer Walker
Susan Kelechi-Watson
Take a Daytrip
Tamara Browning (Reptaliens)
Tanya Phillips (TATYANA)
Tayla Parx
Taylor Tomlinson
Teeklef (Ebuka Unogu)
Terius Nash (The-Dream)
Thaddis Harrell (Kuk Harrell)
Thalia Mosaia Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
The-Dream
The New Respects
Thee Sacred Souls
Tift Merritt
Tim Dehnert (TRACES)
Tim Nichols
Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach)
Tommy Bruce
Tommy English
Tony Palermo (Papa Roach)
Tori Kelly
Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
Travis Mills
Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria)
Trent Hafdhal (After The Burial)
Trinity Bailey
Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio)
Turbo
Tye Tribbett
Tyler Kirby (Touché Amoré)
Tyron William Griffith (Ty Dolla $ign)
Valentino Khan
VERNON REID
Vic Mensa
Victory Boyd (Infinity’s Song)
Wax Chattels
Wesley Pentz p/k/a “Diplo”
William Philips (Tourist)
Wilsen
YG
Young Guru
Yvette Nicole Brown
Zach Grace (flor)
Zach Velmer (STS9)
Zachary Cole Smith (DIIV)
Zachary Dawes
Zack Merrick (All Time Low)
Zooey Deschanel

Organizations and Supporters

Abi Getto, Vanta Artists
Adam Alpert (Disruptor Records)
Adam Foley
Adam Harrison (Full Stop Management)
Adam Zia, Esq.
Agustin Mota
Akil Channer
Alec DeCrosta
Alex Remes
Alexandra Greenberg, Falcon Publicity
Ali Harnell
Allison Kaye
Ally Ehasz
Amanda Schupf
Amanda Silverman (Lede Company)
Amir Cash Esmaillian (XO Records)
Amy Thomson
Ana Ruiz (Drive Music Publishing)
Anders Borge
Andrea Johnson
Andrea Vera
Andrew Gertler
Andrew Orcutt, Esq.
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
Anthony Saleh
Ari Bernstein
Ariana Shakibnia
Arista Records
ASCAP
Asha Madhukar, Esq.
Ashaunna K Ayars
Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)
Astralwerks Records
Atlantic Records
Ava Greenfield
Ben Wittkugel
Benchmob
Bilal Joseph
Binta Niambi Brown
Blended Strategy Group
Blood Company
Blue Note Records
Bozoma Saint John
Brad Turell
Brandon and Jesse Ginsberg
Brandon Creed
Brandon Goodman (Best Friend Music)
Brandon Paradise
Brandon Silverstein (S10 Management)
Brandon Zmigrocki
Bravado
Brent Lauren Ford
Brett Bassock
Brian Jaffe (Prim8)
Brian St. John
Brianna Crow
Bryan Raisa
Cal Shapiro
Calhoun Rawlings
Canvasback Music
Capitol Christian Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Caroline Records
Catherine Enny (Guerilla Management)
Chad Horton
Chantal Felice
Charles H. Rivkin
Cheryl Paglierani of United Talent
Chiquita Banks, Esq.
Chris Anokute
Chris Georggin (PMM)
Chris Salinas
Chris Smith
Christa Pecha
Christopher “Classick” Inumerable
Clare Paterson, Esq.
Cody Verdecias
Colleen Theis
Columbia Records
Conrad Rippy, Esq. (Levine, Plotkin & Menin LLP)
Corey Wagner
Corrie Martin
Craig Bruck
Crowd Surf
Crystal Torres
Damon Sharpe
Dan Dymtrow
Daniel Lerman
Danielle Geiger
Danielle Middleton
Danny Goldberg
Daouda Leonard (CreateSafe)
Darryl Gooden
Dave Kaplan
David Bason
David P. White
David Sonenberg
Def Jam Recordings
Demaris Bailey
Dennis Ashley
Deon Douglas
Deprise Brazel, Esq.
Derrick Lee, Esq.
Dirtybird (Barclay Crenshaw)
Dre London
E. Andrea Timpone
Ebonie Ward (Emagen)
Edward Rios
Edward Shapiro, Esq. (Reed Smith LLP)
Elektra Music Group
Elena Marie Occhipinti, Esq.
Elon Musk
Epic Records
Erica Ramon
Erik Nuri
Evan Owens Jr.
Evange Livanos (Alternate Side, Public Consumption)
Feyi Ekisola
Fool’s Gold Inc. (Alain Macklovitch)
Foreign Family Collective
Free Press Association
Full Stop Management
Gabriela Schwartz
Gabrielle Carteris
Gary Gilbert, Esq.
Gaston McGary, Mob Creative
Gee Rouz
Geoff Barnett, Red Light Entertainment
Giovanna Judge
Global Music Rights
Grace James
Graham Martin
Hallwood Media
Hannah Linkenhoker
Harvest Records
Heidi Kelso (HK Media Group)
Henry Root, Esq.
Hope Driskell
Icon Business Management
Indie-Pop!
Innovative Leisure (Jamie Strong)
Interscope Geffen A&M
Irving Azoff
Island Records
Jacqueline Reynolds-Drumm
Jahanvi Srinivasan
Jana Fleishman (Roc Nation)
Janine Small, Esq. (Janine Small, PLLC)
Jason Bernard (Born and Raised Entertainement)
Jeff Leven, Esq.
Jeffrey Azoff
Jenna Novak
Jennifer Justice
Jennifer McDaniels
Jess Froham
Jessica A. Sobhraj
Jessie Winkler, Esq.
Jodie Shihadeh
Joel Roman
John Ingram, Esq.
Jojo Benton
Jon Platt
Jon Pleeter
Jonathan “Zeke” Hutchins
Jonathan Kalter
Jonathan Pardo
Jordan Bromley, Esq.
Josh Klein (Monarch Business & Wealth Management)
Joshua T. Love, Esq.
Julia Senerth
Justin De Marco
Kacie Anderson
Kareem “Biggs” Burke
Kate Glinert
Katherine Ziewacz
Kathryn Frazier (Biz 3)
Kathy Kane
Kati Goldberg
Keisha Walker
Keith Lazorchak (Hard 8 Working Group)
Kelly Bartley
Kelly Sodano
Kevin Jergenson
Kirkland Alexander Lynch, Esq.
Kristina Fields (Fenty Corp.)
Kyle Judge (Headz Up Entertainment, LLC)
Kyle Kernohan
LaPolt Law, P.C.
Larry Rudolph
Laura Pallas (Pallas Management Group)
Lauren Azevedo
Lauren Corcoran
Laurence Leader
Lekeia Judge
Lewis Kovac
Lisa Lester, Esq.
Lulu M. Pantin, Esq.
LVRN
Mad Decent
Marci Webber, MDM Artists
Mari Davies
Mark A. Barondess, Esq.
Mark Siegal
Marty Diamond
Matthew Peters
Meezy Entertainment, LLC
Megan Frestedt
Melanie Davis
Merck Mercuriadis
MIA Coalition
Michael Dotson
Michael Grinspan
Michael Hertz
Michael Kadziulis
Michael Rexford, Esq.
Michael Rubin
Michael Turkowitz
Michele Fleischi
Michelle Martinez
Michelle Scarbrough
Mike Hayes
Mike Mowery
Mitch Blackman
Monika A. Tashman, Esq.
Motion Picture Association (MPA)
Motisola Zulu, Esq.
Motown Records
Music Artists Coalition (MAC)
Music Biz
Music Managers Forum – US (MMF-US)
Naima Cochrane
Nakiya Morgan
Naomi Raddon
Natalka Dudynsky
Nicholas Rosenberg, Esq.
Nicole Borelli Hearn
Nicole E. Timpone
Nicole Karpas (S10 Management)
Niles Goodwin
Nima Nasseri
Nonesuch Records
On Board Experiential
The Orchard
PARR3 LLC – Mike Merriman
Patrick Moxey, Ultra Records
Pete Griffin
Peter Lewit, Esq.
Phil McIntyre (PHILYMACK)
Provident Label Group
PSBM (Phil Sarna)
Rachel Cohen
Randall Uritsky
Randy Freedman
Randy Jackson
RCA Records
Rebecca Bernstein
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Republic Records
Rhonda Bedikian
Ria Otero
Rich Cohen (Loyalty Management)
Richburg Enterprises LLC
Rick Farrell
Rick Levy
Rob Prinz
Roger L. Cramer, Esq.
Ryan Nagle
Sabrina Rivera
Sacks & Co
SAG-AFTRA
Sam Bartlett
Sam Hunt
Sam Mobarek, Mob Creative
Sara Shapiro
Sarah Som-Dotson
Scott M Schwartz
Scott Mantell
Scott Pang
Scott Scooter Braun
Sierra E Sant’Anna
Sir David Adjaye OBE
Sire Records
SONA
The Songwriters Guild of America (SGA)
Sony Masterworks
Sony Music Group
Sony Music Latin
Sony Music Nashville
Sony Music’s Commercial Music Group
Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Spinefarm Records
Spotify
Stephanie Gutman
Steve Levine
Susan Genco
Talani Diggs
Tama Kennemer
Tamara Milagros-Butler, Esq.
Taylor Sargent
Thomas Winkler, Esq. (WEPRSNT Management)
Tiffany Carter
Tiffany R. Almy, Esq.
Timeline Management
TMWRK Management
Tom Windish
Tom Wironen
Tommas Arnby (Locomotion)
Tommy Bruce
Tony Couch
Universal Music Enterprises
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Universal Music Publishing Group
Vanessa Morris
Veronica Hartling
Veronica Sanjines
Verve Label Group
Vivek Sridharan, Esq.
W. Joseph Anderson, Esq.
Warner Chapel Music
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Latina
Warner Music Nashville
Warner Records
Wassim SAL Slaiby (XO Records)
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers
Zariyah Etienne
Zev Perilman (Untapped Management)

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