Trayvon Martin’s Parents Ask For Help In “Stand Your Ground” Laws

Trayvon Martin’s Parents Ask For Help In “Stand Your Ground” Laws

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Last year, our son Trayvon Martin was stalked, chased down and killed by George Zimmerman, and Zimmerman received no punishment whatsoever. That’s in large part because Florida is one of at least 21 states with some form of ‘Stand Your Ground’ law which enables people like George Zimmerman to claim self-defense.

‘Stand Your Ground’ was never meant to give aggressors the opportunity to get away with murder, but that is what happened when our son Trayvon was killed. After Trayvon’s death, law enforcement used the law as an excuse to refuse to arrest George Zimmerman. Even worse, the jury in the case was instructed to think of what Zimmerman did as self-defense, even though Zimmerman ignored instructions from the police and instigated conflict with our son, who was just trying to get home to his father.

We are shocked and heartbroken by the jury’s decision to allow our son’s killer to go free. Despite our despair, we must honor Trayvon’s legacy by doing all that we can to protect other young people from being targeted, pursued, and senselessly murdered.

 We started a petition on Change.org calling on 21 governors whose states have some form of ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws to review those laws and amend them so that people who instigate conflicts — people like George Zimmerman — won’t be able to use these laws to get away with murder.
 

We are not the only ones calling for ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws to be reviewed. President Obama spoke out on the need for review, and prominent Republicans like Senator John McCain have joined him. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it’s not ‘black’ or ‘white’ issue, it’s a wrong and right issue.

This is a matter of making sure that no other family will ever have to go through what we have been through. No parents should ever have to know what it feels like to watch your child’s killer walk free.

Our hearts broke on the night of February 26, 2012 when George Zimmerman killed our son — and we were stunned and devastated when the police refused to arrest Zimmerman. We petitioned for Zimmerman’s arrest on Change.org, and after more than 2 million people joined our call, Zimmerman was charged with our son’s murder. We felt so much closer to justice for Trayvon, and so grateful for the support of those who signed our petition.

But on July 13, 2013, our hearts broke again when the jury set Zimmerman free. Our hearts broke because it is so hard to accept that we can’t protect Trayvon anymore. But we can fight to make sure that this never happens again.

Please sign our petition calling for a thorough review of all ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws to prevent killers like George Zimmerman from going free.

We want to say thank you to all of you who have stood up for our son. Because of all your efforts, Trayvon’s life is celebrated all over the world. Please continue to stand with us as we fight to ensure that his legacy is to leave behind a safer and more peaceful world for all our sons and daughters.

Thank you,
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton

DMX has reportedly been arrested for driving under the influence in South Carolina

DMX has reportedly been arrested for driving under the influence in South Carolina

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.X reportedly failed a sobriety test after being stopped by state troopers yesterday (July 25).

Bob Beris of the South Carolina Highway Patrol told Hip-Hop Wired that DMX was arrested at approximately 8:50 pm. Beris said that X was identified as a "possible DUI driver" in a 1978 Plymouth station wagon and was stopped for driving erratically. DMX failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over on US 29, according to Beris. 

X was reportedly charged with a DUI at Greenville County Detention Center. He was also reportedly charged with not having a driver's license and not wearing a seat belt.

TMZ reported that X was arrested this morning (July 26) at 3 am. It is unclear if the arrests are regarding the same incident or if the TMZ or Hip-Hop Wired reports are accurate.

A representative for DMX has said that the allegations are untrue and that DMX was not arrested for driving under the influence.

"Allegations about DMX being arrested for drunk driving are false," the representative said in a statement. "He was arrested early this morning but quickly released. X was given a breathalyzer test and easily passed it. He is back at his home in South Carolina and we are continuing our focus on his upcoming album and acting roles." 

DMX has been in legal trouble before. In 2008, he was arrested for attempting to purchase cocaine and marijuana. He was also arrested that same year for animal cruelty and drug charges. Also in 2008, X was arrested by federal agents in Miami, Florida. In 2010, it was reported that DMX was battling addiction after several arrests. He was also stopped that year for driving violation hours after being released from prison. In February of this year, X was arrested for driving without a license.

(July 26)

UPDATE: Despite claims for DMX's publicist that the arrest reports were not true, TMZ.com has acquired video footage of the onetime Yonkers, New York superstar being stopped and held by police.

"I don't have a license with me, sir. I don't have a license with me. I have my ID," said the former Def Jam Records multi-platinum rapper in the video.

George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty In Trayvon Martin Killing

George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty In Trayvon Martin Killing

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George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter today (July 13). He was accused of murdering Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. Many believed that Martin was singled out and killed by Zimmerman for racial reasons. Martin, 17, was Black and Zimmerman is Hispanic.

"You have a little Black boy who was killed," said Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Martin's parents, according to usatoday.com. "It's going to be reported in history books and 50 years from now, our children will talk about Trayvon Martin's case like we talk about Emmett Till."

Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black male, was tortured and murdered in 1955 in Mississippi after being accused of flirting with a white woman. Till has been referenced in rap lyrics by Kanye West, Lil Wayne and others in the last decade, and David Banner has worn shirts with Till's image on them in videos.

Rapper Keith-B Named His Debut Mixtape " Smooth Criminal " .

Rapper Keith-B Named His Debut Mixtape " Smooth Criminal " .

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“A who’s who of global Hip-Hop talent have combined their lyrical skills in this very impressive release. Keith-B is no newbie to the Rap game”.

Keith-B has arrived and is set to hit stages all around the country in lieu of his newest release, his first mixtape titled Smooth Criminal is set to be released in the fall of 2013. Having lived and studied here in the U.K, Keith-B has not only made a home for himself in England, but his fanbase seem to follow him wherever he goes eagerly anticipating the release of his next project.

Keith-B built his career over a decade ago in Portugal where he is originally from and was part of a major group who were signed to APVF a local Portuguese music label. As the years progressed Keith-B decided to take control over his own career and set about implementing the resources he had for him to succeed. To this day his most notable resource is the ever growing love and support from his global fanbase.

Presently, Keith-B aka Iurylansky has set up his independent record label called ‘Tha Real G Records’ and is eager to release his first mixtape into the British market. When asked why he decided to stop rapping in Portuguese he said:

“I want to take a new adventure and develop an English fanbase besides Hip Hop is universal I want people to know what I have been through to get to where I am today”.

Armed with a brilliant array of global guests Keith-B has reached out like never before and the artistic talent to lend verses to the Smooth Criminal mixtape is more than impressive including talent from Europe, Canada, USA and most importantly talent that reside right here in Manchester.

To name but a few guests would include:

Dollarmentary, Jaysun, Mr.Cream, Sincere The Mayor (USA) Gon Gotti (Canada), Dany Kuevas (Spain), SK and My Name Is...*B* (UK).

In closing, the Smooth Criminal Mixtape is set to be unlike anything ever released right here in the U.K. An artist who has lived a life like Keith-B is a grand reason for why Hip Hop resonates with people from all over the world and that is the overcoming of struggles and the celebration of success.

Watch the Interview Below 

Hani Kulture from Hot 97′s Teams Up With DJ YRS Jerzy For New Mixtape

Hani Kulture from Hot 97′s Teams Up With DJ YRS Jerzy For New Mixtape

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 Shani Kulture is the leader of a new generation in talent. He is so widely recognized as an influence within the industry, that he has been documented as a “Hip-Hop Immortal” on the DVD “We Got Ya Kids.” Never to leave any stone unturned, Kulture reaches the masses as producer and personality for two popular radio shows on Hot97 (WQHT NYC); Weekday mornings on ‘The Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg Show with K-Foxx as well as his own weekly late night show, “The Kulture Movement,” keeping the city that never sleeps tuned in to the #1 hip-hop station in the world.

Serving as a liaison between the mainstream and the underground, Kulture keeps his ear to the street by hosting and coordinating a variety of events. He continues to share his craft as host of Hot97′s monthly showcase “Who’s Next,” and maintain as one of the organizers and host of the annual Summer Jam MC Battle since its inception in 2004. With that being said, Shani Kulture Presents: The Kulture Movement Volume 1.

The Kulture Movement is comprised of upward and progressive forms of music, movements and cultures that uplift, sends a message, inspires and makes one feel good from the vibes that it delivers, plus it entertains all in one place. The Kulture Movement is for the people by the people. Shani Kulture in conjunction with Tindal Enterprises and DJ YRS Jerzy as your co-host, are only looking for the best of the best to be featured on this project.

We will carefully handpick 13 song selections per volume which means that you must bring your A game. All music submissions must be of the highest quality and excellent standards. Only those selected for the project will be contacted due to the extremely high amount of submissions that we will be receiving.

If you want the opportunity to be spotlighted under the umbrella of one of radios most prominent figures, then you need to be on this this mixtape because “Shani Kulture Presents:The Kulture Movement” is sure to be one of the hottest mixtapes to drop online and the streets this year.

Please forward one song per entry with a professional bio that represents your brand, one video of a performance (If Applicable). In order to be considered there is a registration fee so we are accepting SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY!!!

@ShaniKulture @Hot97