JAY-Z lent his private jet to S. Lee Merritt, a civil rights lawyer who is currently representing the family of the late Ahmaud Arbery, so that he could make it to court today (June 4). The preliminary hearings for the trial were set to take place and Merritt needed to make it back to Georgia in time to attend.
“When you absolutely have to be in court to stand with your client and righteous protesters for justice … JAY-Z sends his private jet,” he wrote. “That’s part of the P.P.E. plan to get us out of this Crisis (People Power Political Power Economic Power) #PPE @rocnation @grassrootslaw @shaunking @leemerrittesq #thepeopleslawyer @blerimelmazi #runwithmaud #itsonus.”
Back in February, Arbery was shot and killed while jogging through a Georgia neighborhood. Months later, Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested for his murder after video evidence of the fatal shooting went viral. William Bryan, the one who filmed the attack, was also arrested for his involvement in the horrific crime.
JAY has been very involved with Arbery’s case since it became national news. Last month, he, along with Meek Mill, Alicia Keys, Yo Gotti and more, penned an open letter addressing Georgia’s state officials to demand a fair trial against the McMichaels.
“The world is now familiar with the story of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old African-American man who, while out jogging in Brunswick, Glynn County, GA, was hunted down and shot to death by two white men, Gregory and Travis McMichael,” the letter begins. “Their arrest yesterday on charges of murder and aggravated assault — more than two months after Ahmaud’s death — was a positive first step on the long road toward justice. But, it only strengthens our resolve to see that justice is eventually served.”
“By now, we’ve all seen the crime’s disturbing video, so the facts here are not in doubt: He was unarmed and innocent and the victim of a hate crime,” the letter continued. “Which is why we call upon you today, as official leaders of the Great State of Georgia, and with the entire world watching, to ensure that a fair trial is conducted, as that can only lead to the appropriate felony convictions of both McMichaels.”
“Ahmaud was a loving son, a brother and a positive role model in the community,” the letter concludes. “He was a human being. He was also African-American which, sadly, means that he was a target. Still. And on this Mother’s Day — just two days after what would have been Ahmaud’s 26th birthday — we simply cannot and will not stand for another black mother who must spend the day mourning the loss of her black son because of the color of his skin.”
Check out S. Lee Merritt’s post below.