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    Jay Z Advocates For Prison Reform Onstage In California

    "California, build more schools, less prisons."

    At the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on Sunday, Aug. 3, Jay Z called for California to support Prop 47, a November ballot initiative. "California, build more schools, less prisons," he said, before launching into his 1998 hit "Hard Knock Life."

    Here's that quote, one more time:

    Jay Z understands...we need #SchoolsNotPrisons! #SonsAndBrothers #OTR

    If passed by voters, Prop 47 will reclassify several nonviolent crimes, like drug possession and petty theft, from felonies to misdemeanors.

    It would then permit re-sentencing for people whose crimes had been reclassified, and funnel money saved from getting prisoners out of jails into schools.

    The initiative's previously been supported by Chuck D...

    How can art push forward justice reform? Join @MrChuckD and others at 8/5 at 12pm PDT for #schoolsnotprisons chat

    ...and Russell Simmons.

    @UncleRush joins our #SchoolsNotPrisons Artist Tweetchat with on art, social movements 8/5 PDT, 12pm w/@sankofadotorg

    In 2012, actor Harry Belafonte criticized Jay Z and Beyoncé, saying the couple had "turned their back on social responsibility."