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Twista, Lloyd & Killer Mike Hold "Jena 6" Benefit Concert |
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Twista, Killer Mike and Sean Paul of YoungBloodz are among many hip-hop artists slated to perform at a benefit concert for the Jena 6 during the "Let Freedom Ring Weekend" in Birmingham, Alabama.
The "Let Freedom Ring Weekend" will be used as a platform to raise awareness and show support for the Jena 6 - six black students facing lengthy jail time for an attack on a white schoolmate in Louisiana. The incident occurred last August after a black student sat under a particular tree on the school grounds where white students traditionally gather. Following his presence there, 3 nooses were hung from the tree. The students accused of hanging the nooses were suspended from school for a short period of time causing racial tensions to rise.
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The six teens in question were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder but following protests from civil rights advocates, some of the charges were reduced. Yet, many feel as if they are still being treated more harshly due to race.
The "Let Freedom Ring Weekend" will kick off on Friday (September 28) with a press conference at the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a peace rally at Parker High School at 4 p.m. The "Jena 6 Empowerment Concert" will take place on Saturday (September 29) at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center at 6 p.m. Other artists slated to perform at the concert include Rasheeda, B5, Lloyd, Kandi, Tank, Baby Boy and Jagged Edge. "What's happening to the Jena 6 is not an isolated incident; it could happen to any of us," Baby Boy said via a statement. Tickets for the "Jena 6 Empowerment Concert" are available via ticketmaster.com. In related news, Mos Def will be holding a rally for the six students in Jena on Thursday (September 20). The Brooklyn bred rapper issued a challenge to celebrities and artists including Will Smith, Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Kanye West to take action during an appearance on political satirist Bill Maher's HBO show "Real Time" last week. Visit freethejena6.org for more information on Mos' rally. | |||||||||
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