Jay Z, 'George Zimmerman a Mall Cop'
Jay Z recently spoke out about the George Zimmerman trial and dedicated a performance of "Forever Young" to young Trayvon Martin. The superstar admitted that he didn't sleep for two days after Zimmerman was found not guilty of murder and elaborated on his feelings about the trial.
"If you ask the questions, ask yourself the questions, 'Didn't Trayvon have the right to stand his ground?'" Jay Z asked Elliott Wilson. "He was being chased. He fought back. He may have won. That doesn't mean he's a criminal. He won. If you chase me and you try to attack me and I defend myself, how can I be in the wrong? How is that right?"
Jay Z is one of several celebrities who have spoken out since the Zimmerman trial ended. Stevie Wonder has decided to boycott any performances in Florida until Stand Your Ground is repealed or other laws change in the state. A list naming other celebrities who would boycott Florida was discredited by the Huffington Post.
"This guy went to get Skittles and go back and watch the All-Star game. He had plans. He had no intentions of robbing anyone's homes," Jay Z added. "That 'Stand Your Ground' law: You can have a fight with someone, and if they're running away, you can shoot them and kill them and you're fine? Come on."
Beyonce and Jay Z attended a rally in protest of Stand Your Ground laws in New York over the weekend. Rev. Al Sharpton was one of the leaders of the protest and praised the power couple for their attendance and for bringing attention to the protest.
"We all know it was wrong," Jay Z told Wilson. "It was wrong. This guy's not a professional. First of all, you're not a professional to profile someone. A professional law enforcement officer is taught not to profile. This guy's a novice. This guy's a [expletive] mall cop."