Rihanna, Beyoncé, Meek Mill, Kim Kardashian, and more spoke out
By now, Kim Kardashian’s high-profile (and often successful) advocacy for those disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system is well known, so it probably comes as no surprise that she reported she was on-scene yesterday (November 16) when Rodney Reed received a stay of execution regarding his death sentence.
This follows campaigning for Rodney Reed – who was charged in 1998 with the murder of a woman in Texas two years earlier, but still insists he isn’t guilty – from some big names.
Obviously Kim got involved, writing in a series of tweets: “Today, I had the honor of meeting (Rodney Reed) in person and the privilege of sitting with him when he got the news that the highest court in Texas had issued a stay of execution.”
“Words cannot describe the relief and hope that swept over the room in that moment. That hope had been building over the last few weeks around Rodney’s case. We have seen Democrats and Republicans come together. We have seen grassroots activists and lawmakers link arms.”
However, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Pusha-T, and Meek Mill also spoke out, among others, partly by sharing links to a petition, which details the alleged “mountains of evidence” against Reed’s guilty verdict. The petition has received almost 3 million signatures so far.
Although, following the pressure, Reed’s death sentence is suspended indefinitely, he still awaits another trial.
Today, I had the honor of meeting #RodneyReed in person and the privilege of sitting with him when he got the news that the highest court in Texas had issued a stay of execution and remanded the case back to the trial court for further consideration.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 16, 2019
Words cannot describe the relief and hope that swept over the room in that moment. That hope had been building over the last few weeks around Rodney’s case. We have seen Democrats and Republicans come together. We have seen grassroots activists and lawmakers link arms.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 16, 2019
We have heard people all around the globe speak up. And all because of a deep belief that every man or woman accused of a crime - especially one punishable by death - deserves the chance to have all available evidence considered.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 16, 2019