Celebrities Stand Up Against Gun Violence
By// Quassan Castro
Every week, it seems gun violence is in the headlines. As a matter of fact in Chicago, where JET is headquartered, there was a reported 15 shootings with three people killed in just the 24 hours leading up to the July 4th holiday.
But some celebrities are stepping up to put a stop to this epidemic. Rapper-turned-reggae artist Snoop Lion (aka Snoop Dogg), says he’s an opponent of gun violence despite his past lyrics and activities growing up in Long Beach. Rapper T.I. also takes a pledge not to influence gun usage, particularly when high numbers of homicides in America are at extreme highs.
According to a National Vital Statistics report, in 2011 alone, over 30, 000 people died in America due to gun violence.
The two rappers and Congresswoman Maxine Waters led a anti-gun violence panel discussion on June 29, during the BET Experience in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Rob “Biko” Baker, Executive Director of the League of Young Voters Education Fund, moderated the diverse panel. One aspect of the panel discussion spoke about youth cultures obsession with guns.
Over 1, 000 charged listeners were in attendance in support of the ‘no gun violence’ movement. Tatyana Ali, Craig Wayans and Lisa Leslie, retired WNBA player came out to support the movement.
View article as it appears via Jet Magazine.
http://jetmag.com/entertainment/celebrities-stand-up-against-gun-violence/
