Jay-Z's Team ROC Offers To Pay Bail For Arrested Tosa Protesters

WAUWATOSA — Jay-Z's Team ROC, an entertainment agency founded by rapper Jay-Z, has offered to pay bail and citation fees for all of the protesters arrested in Wauwatosa on Thursday night, 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.

JAY-Z and Team ROC have been monitoring the situation in Wauwatosa for months and took out a full-page ad (attached) in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in early-July, calling for the immediate prosecution and termination of Officer Mensah.

Later in August, Team ROC attempted to take multiple billboard ads out in Wauwatosa with similar messages, but Lamar Advertising Company declined to run them for reasons that weren’t mentioned in their Copy Acceptance Policy. Team ROC attorney Jordan Siev ended up sending the letter to Lamar’s attorneys for “improperly censoring Roc Nation’s speech on a matter of considerable public interest” and implying a violation of First Amendment rights.

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."

Thursday night's 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. It was also reported Jacob Blake Sr., father of Jacob Blake who was shot by police in Kenosha, was also arrested.

Pavlik said on Wednesday night one person was arrested and on Friday, 24 were arrested; 21 for various charges including the violation of the emergency order, resisting arrest and reckless driving. Three adults were arrested for looting in Milwaukee.

Police said 24 people were arrested on Thursday and citations for violating an emergency order were issued to 19 people. Wauwatosa Police haven't confirmed the names of people arrested in last night's protest and unrest.