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Jay Z has issued a statement fighting back against social media pressure for him to drop a holiday fashion line with Barneys New York amidst allegations that the store racially profiled two Black shoppers.

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As previously reported by NewsOne,  Trayon Christian, 19, and Kayla Phillips, 21, both have lawsuits pending against Barneys after being accosted by police who accused them of stealing items from the store after making high-end purchases.

In addition to social media pressure, particularly strong on Twitter,  Derik Bowers, owner of Adversitees, started a Change.org petition also calling on Jay Z to end the Barneys deal.

Read what Hova has to say below, via Life + Times:

This collaboration lives in a place of giving and is about the Foundation. I am not making a dime from this collection; I do not stand to make millions, as falsely reported. I need to make that fact crystal clear. The Shawn Carter Foundation is the beneficiary and the foundation is receiving 25% of all sales from the collaboration, 10% of all sales generated in the store on November 20th and an additional donation from Barneys. This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning. My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.

I move and speak based on facts and not emotion. I haven’t made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys. Why am I being demonized, denounced and thrown on the cover of a newspaper for not speaking immediately? The negligent, erroneous reports and attacks on my character, intentions, and the spirit of this collaboration have forced me into a statement I didn’t want to make without the full facts. Making a decision prematurely to pull out of this project, wouldn’t hurt Barneys or Shawn Carter, but all the people that stand a chance at higher education. I have been working with my team ever since the situation was brought to my attention to get to the bottom of these incidents and at the same time find a solution that doesn’t harm all those that stand to benefit from this collaboration.

I am against discrimination of any kind, but if I make snap judgements, no matter who it’s towards, aren’t I committing the same sin as someone who profiles? I am no stranger to being profiled and I truly empathize with anyone that has been put in that position. Hopefully this brings forth a dialogue to effect real change. – Shawn “JAY Z” Carter

Rev. Al Sharpton‘s National Action Network is mobilizing activists to take a stand against Barneys and the NYPD.

“National Action Network will immediately demand a meeting with the Barneys New York CEO,” NAN spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger said in a statement.

Barneys CEO Mark Lee said in a statement Thursday that that “no customer should have the unacceptable experience” of being racially profiled and accosted by police after making a purchase at the department store, reported NBC News 4 New York.

Michael Yaki, who serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, has been hired by the store to lead a review of fairness and equality practices.

Jay Z Issues Statement On Barneys NY Racial Profiling Allegations  was originally published on newsone.com