News
Press Releases
Statement from Rev. Al Sharpton following reports of inhumane conditions in rapper ASAP Rocky’s Swedish jail cell
—NEW YORK — Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton today reacted to reports about the treatment of rapper ASAP Rocky, who is currently being held in a Swedish jail pending a decision from Swedish prosecutors to press charges over the physical altercation that led to his arrest.
Rev. Sharpton met with ASAP’s mother, Renee Black, and the families of the two other men being held in Sweden, who appealed for Sharpton’s help. After watching the video, Sharpton is calling for ASAP’s release pending hearings. Sharpton and ASAP’s mother also called members of Congress to ask them to join him in appealing to the State Department to intervene, and to seek permission to visit ASAP as a minister.
“Reports of the conditions in ASAP’s jail cell and violation of his consular visitation rights are concerning,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network (NAN). “We at NAN are appealing directly to the Swedish authorities for complete transparency and ASAP’s swift return home.”
Video footage of the incident indicates ASAP Rocky acted in self-defense after being provoked. Reports from the jail have indicated his cell conditions are inhumane and that he has been denied a consular visit from U.S. officials.