A$AP Rocky is still imprisoned after being arrested for assault in Stockholm last week (July 3). Now, countless celebrities, including Tyler, the Creator, Nicki Minaj, and Naomi Campbell, are vocalising their support for the rapper as a Change.org petition calling for his release nears 500,000 signatures.
In a TMZ video shared on July 2, the rapper and his crew can be seen punching and kicking a man on the street, after he reportedly accused Rocky of breaking a pair of headphones. Following the release of the footage, the rapper shared an extended version of events on his own Instagram. In the videos, the two young men follow Rocky and his crew despite repeatedly being asked to leave them alone – off camera, a woman also says that one of the men “slapped my ass and my girlfriend’s ass”.
Fans and celebrities are now calling for Rocky’s release using the hashtag #JusticeForRocky, following the creation of a petition to Swedish officials. The petition alleges the rapper was acting in self-defense, and criticises authorities for violating human rights laws.
Voicing his support for the rapper on Twitter, Tyler, the Creator has seemingly boycotted the whole of Sweden, tweeting: “no more sweden for me, ever”, while 2 Chainz wrote: “Free @asvpxrocky!!! We targeted all over the world shit crazy.”
Nicki Minaj has also backed Rocky, sharing her own run-in with law enforcement on Twitter: “I performed in Jamaica before & when i got off the stage I was surrounded by police with guns drawn. They were ready 2 take me to jail b/c they said I forgot to bleep a couple curses… I could make one mistake & go to jail in a diff country where women have no rights. #FreeAsap.”
The petition states: “On Monday, July 8th, we filed an appeal with the Swedish Supreme Court to have Rocky released from the inhumane conditions and the clear violation of human rights. They rejected the filing, which means Rocky will remain in prison for two weeks. The conditions of the facility are horrific.”
Expanding on these claims, TMZ reports “the rapper is sleeping on a yoga mat with no blankets” and another prisoner “hurls feces every which way… feces that are not cleaned up”. It’s also alleged that during the first week of his arrest, Rocky only “ate an apple a day”.
Swedish governor Fredrik Wallin has denied the accusations, telling Radio 1 Newsbeat that the prison is in “good condition”. Although he can’t comment on individual cases, Wallin claimed that inmates receive three meals a day and typically live in cells containing a desk, a bed with a mattress, and a TV.
The #JusticeForRocky petition also slams officials in Stockholm for violating Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (which says when a foreigner is arrested, they have the right to immediately see an official from the US Consulate), claiming Rocky was initially denied his request to counsel, then only allowed a visit in the presence of Swedish officials. The petition continues: “It is extremely troubling and worrisome that the laws are not being applied equally in these circumstances.”
It hasn’t been confirmed how much longer Rocky will be held in prison, but the rapper has been forced to cancel his upcoming European tour dates, and missed out on his headline slot at London’s Wireless Festival over the weekend, being replaced by J Hus.
Read some messages of support below, and sign the petition here.