By Tiffany Hamilton
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has teamed up with the National Hip-Hop Political convention to launch a crusade against police brutality in the African American community.
A number of rappers and organizations will support the “Cease Fire: Stop Police Brutality ,” a five day national event in which participants will use peaceful resistance in protest of recent acts of police brutality.
"We as a people have to address this issue, in a more hands on approach." Outlawz member EDI said in a statement. "I'm not talking about violence, but we definitely got to address this situation, when they're shooting down our young brothers and getting away with it."
Cease Fire: Stop Police Brutality is scheduled to kick off on November 21, 2007, a date that marks the anniversary of the Atlanta Police slaying of 92 year-old Kathryn Johnston.
The 5-day campaign includes vigils, press conferences, rallies, panel discussions, teach-ins, poetry and concerts.
It will conclude on November 25, 2007, marking the anniversary of Sean Bell the 23 year-old who was murdered by New York Police on his wedding day.
"They're off the hook, grandmothers aren't even safe in their own home," Whodini member Jalil said in a statement, "There has to be accountability."
Plans for Cease Fire: Stop Police Terrorism includes vigils, press conferences, rallies, panel discussions, teach-ins, poetry and concerts.
The goal of the Cease Fire Campaign is to educate and inspire people to rally around the countless victims of police murders, misconducts and false arrests in their local areas.
"From full body cavity searches of black men on the streets of San Antonio, to DNA samples taken from black men in Charlottesville, Virginia, America's 'War on Terror' has become for some a 'War of terror.' " Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney said in a statement. "It is time to draw attention to the actions of rogue police officers who target for harassment and even murder the poor and defenseless among us; and it is time to stop it. I support the Hip Hop Community's Cease Fire: Stop Police Terrorism Campaign."
For more information on the Cease Fire: Stop Police Brutality crusade log onto: www.Myspace.com/freeallpoliticalprisoners