Russell Simmons To NYPD Union's Pat Lynch: "You Will Not Wage War On Our Communities"

RUSSELL PENS OP-ED DIRECTED AT NYC PBA LEADER THAT BLAMED MAYOR DE BLASIO FOR COPS DEATHS

(AllHipHop News) Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons has been one of the most outspoken activist from the Hip Hop community concerning equal justice and police brutality. The mogul joined the “Millions March NYC” in support of Eric Garner, and he met with Governor Andrew Cuomo about reforming the criminal justice system.

[ALSO READ: Russell Simmons & Jay Z Lobby New York Governor To Reform Criminal Justice System]

Simmons has now turned his attention to police union president Pat Lynch. The leader of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association received widespread backlash for his comments following the killing of New York City police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. Lynch stated at a press conference that NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio had “blood on his hands,” effectively blaming the mayor for the deaths of Liu and Ramos.

In a Huffington Post op-ed titled “Pat Lynch, You Will Not Wage ‘War’ on Our Communities!”, Simmons addressed Lynch’s statements. He wrote in part:

Pat, there is no “war” that will be waged upon our communities by your, I mean OUR officers, there is no blood on anyone’s hands except those of the killer, and there is no demonizing hundreds of thousands of people who have peacefully exercised their first amendment right marching in the streets for an end to violence. It is disappointing to witness how disrespectful Pat Lynch has been to Mayor de Blasio for trying to reform a department in much need of transformation, yet he was SILENT when the leader of his police department was far more direct in his criticism.

Simmons also used the article to offer prayers and condolences to the Liu and Ramos families as well as the loved ones of the gunman’s first victim Shaneka Thompson. The 57-year-old entrepreneur ended his piece by adding he and the community will no longer tolerate people like Lynch that he feels creates division between the citizens and the cops.

Read Russell Simmons full op-ed here.

[ALSO READ: Game Defends Making “I Guess Y’all Can’t Breathe Either” Statement After Killing Of 2 NYC Cops]