Jay-Z's Team ROC To Hold Justice For Alvin Cole Rally In Tosa

WAUWATOSA — Jay-Z's Team ROC, an entertainment agency founded by rapper Jay-Z, announced Wednesday it is organizing a rally at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Hart Park,7300 Chestnut Street, to demand justice for Alvin Cole. Masks must be worn, according to a news release. The release said former Milwaukee Bucks standout and Wisconsin native Caron Butler has offered to cover funds that will pay for Alvin’s headstone and will be working with Team ROC on the donation.

Butler released the following statement:

“As someone from the Greater Milwaukee area, I was disappointed to see that Officer Mensah will not face any charges in this case. I’m devastated that Alvin’s family – and all of the people affected by Officer Mensah’s actions – are continuing to wake up in a world in which their loved one is gone and no one is being held responsible. Team ROC and I will continue to do our parts and try to bring some measure of support to Alvin’s family as they continue to seek justice. We hope Governor Evers will step in to help them get the answers they deserve.”

The news of the Team ROC rally comes after the organization offered to pay bail and citation feesfor all of the protesters arrested in Wauwatosa on Oct. 8, according to a news release.

"After learning that local police officials used excessive force to arrest and injure Cole's mother (Tracy), his three sisters and several others during peaceful protests of the decision on Thursday night, JAY-Z and Team ROC – the social justice arm of his entertainment company Roc Nation – have offered their support by paying for the fees for anyone that was arrested and fined for peacefully protesting the injustice in Wauwatosa. Additionally, they are also calling for Wisconsin Governor Evers to tap a special prosecutor to ensure justice is served."

Team ROC Director Dania Diaz released the following statement:

"Our hearts break for the family of Alvin Cole and the Wauwatosa community. Not only did the District Attorney's Office fail to hold Officer Joseph Mensah accountable for killing Alvin, but the local police also arrested and injured Alvin's mother Tracy and his sisters as they peacefully protested alongside Jacob Blake's father.

We will continue to stand with these families and support the peaceful protestors as we collectively fight for the legacies of Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson and Anthony Gonzales, who all died at the hands of Mensah. It's imperative that Governor Evers appoint a special prosecutor to immediately rectify this miscarriage of justice."

Sgt. Abby Pavlik, Public Information Officer, told Patch Jacob Blake Sr. wasn't arrested.

In addition to Team ROC, national organizations Until Freedom, Gathering for Justice and more are organizing the rally. Speakers will include the families of Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson. Also speaking will be Wisconsin Rep. David Bowen and Tamika D. Mallory, Linda Sarsour and Mysonne Linen from Until Freedom.

At the rally, organizers and speakers will call for "the termination of Officer Mensah for his conduct and Police Chief Barry Weber for fostering a culture of violent policing after an independent investigator recommended he be fired."

Additionally, they will be demanding that the Wauwatosa Police Department implements the mandatory use of body cams throughout the force and "end its harassment of the Cole family and their supporters," the release said.

Protests and unrest have followed the news that suspended Wauwatosa Police Joseph Mensah would not face charges in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole at the Mayfair Mall in February. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm made the announcement Wednesday after meeting with Cole's family and attorney.

"There is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable," Chisholm said in a 14-page document addressed to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber. "I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah."

The Cole family arrests came after police enforced curfew violations after 7 p.m.. Tracy, Taleavia and Tristiana Cole were arrested after 9 p.m. near Wauwatosa and Milwaukee avenues.

Cole family attorney, Kimberly Motley, told Patch, Tracy Cole, Alvin's mother, was in the hospital after being arrested. A short time later Motley tweeted an update around 11 p.m. that Tracy and Tristiana Cole were released from the hospital.

For those who cannot attend and want to take action, Team ROC is asking people to sign the petition.

Additional organizations include Revolution Ready, BLAK, Comforce MKE, Breaking Barriers, Liberate MKE, 50 Miles More, People’s Revolution, United Black and Brown Men and Women of Kenosha, Kenosha Accountability Coalition, Change Is Coming, All of Us Or None Wisconsin, Sisters Keepers Wisconsin, Tosa Together, Indivisible Tosa, Justness Project, Milwaukee Artists for Racial Justice, Black Wmnz Emancipation, 50 Miles More, ACLU WI, Milwaukee Freedom Fund and Voces de la Frontera.