Congressional Black Caucus Demands Rapper’s Release ASAP

AP Photo/Susan Walsh – Andre Carson
Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. André Carson, D-Ind., (R) speaks during a news confrence on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 17. He is joined by (L-R) Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., Nikita and Dave Rispers, Sr., parents of David “DJ” Rispers, Jr., and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Member of the Congressional Black Caucus are pushing for the release of A$AP Rocky who is being detained in Sweden.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are demanding the release of hip-hop star A$AP Rocky from a Swedish jail. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York confirmed to TMZ the Caucus’ intention, citing a violation of the rapper’s human rights.

“The situation with A$AP Rocky is unfortunate, it’s outrageous, it needs to be addressed,” said Jeffries. “You can expect that those of us who are part of the Congressional Black Caucus are going to continue to weigh in forcefully until A$AP Rocky is free.”

Fellow Rep. André Carson has also continued to implore the State Department to resolve the situation with the Swedish government.

Yesterday (July 16), the U.S. Department of State issued a statement on the issue. “There are certainly some facts about the arrest and detention that raise concerns. We expect all governments, including Sweden, to treat American citizens fairly and with respect. We hope to see A$AP Rocky and his colleagues back on tour and reunited with friends and family soon.”

In another chat with TMZ, Migos member Quavo revealed he also faced abuse in Sweden. “They had us down on the curb as soon as we went there,” he said. “They had me and my cameraman on the curb, and they were trying to lock us up too.”

A$AP Rocky has been detained in a Stockholm jail since an altercation last month after a tour stop that allegedly involved him throwing a man across the street.

“The conditions of the facility are horrific and include 24/7 solitary confinement, restriction of amenities for the most basic of human functions, lack of access to life-sustaining food as well as unsanitary conditions,” John Ehmann, Rocky’s manager, wrote on his Instagram account. “On the day of his arrest, I spoke with the U.S. Embassy Consult who informed me that his request to visit Rocky was rejected by police, which violates article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which Sweden is a signatory. Since then, he has been allowed to visit with a U.S. Embassy Consult and attorney, but only in the presence of Swedish officials. It is troubling and worrisome that the laws are not being applied equally.”

A Change.org petition launched on July 8 has 590,000 signatures at press time.

Last week, the Swedish Prosecution Authority released a statement announcing that a preliminary investigation into the unknown men “suspected of molestation and assault” who followed Rocky and his associates is taking place. An update by Swedish prosecutors on whether to charge Rocky or extend his detainment is due Friday, according to Politico. “There are certainly some facts about the arrest and detention that raise concerns,” a spokesperson from the State Department told the site. “We expect all governments, including Sweden, to treat American citizens fairly and with respect. … We hope to see ASAP Rocky and his colleagues back on tour and reunited with friends and family soon.”