Hip-hop moguls Jay Z and Russell Simmons met with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 10 to discuss necessary changes to the state’s criminal justice system and encourage him to appoint a special prosecutor in the Eric Garner case.
According to the governor’s spokesperson, Melissa DeRosa, the meeting took place at Cuomo’s Manhattan office, and led to “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.”
DeRosa also tweeted the following picture:
While all parties have agreed the meeting was productive, Simmons and DeRosa seem to have a different idea of its outcome.
Simmons has told outlets that the governor has indeed promised to put forth a special prosecutor, but DeRosa stopped short of that proclamation saying “While the governor didn’t promise to appoint an interim special prosecutor, the two discussed the possibility — among others — and a range of options to take up during the legislative session.”
Regardless of the conflicting reports of the meeting’s outcome, almost everyone can agree that the meeting was a step in the right direction.
Here’s hoping the progress continues.
