Call to Action – March Against Tony Yayo

Call to Action – March Against Tony Yayo
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
April 1, 2007

G-G-G-U can’t be serious. Tony Yayo has been accused of assault on a 14-year-old boy and has pleaded ‘not guilty’ of misdemeanor charges of harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Accusations are that the G-Unit rapper repeatedly pushed and slapped 14 year-old James Rosemond – the son of Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemond, President of Czar Entertainment and manager of Compton rapper The Game. This assault has received so much attention it has lead Civil Rights leader, Al Sharpton, the victim’s mother and other community leaders to organize a March to protest the actions of Yayo.

The “Call to Action and Public Grievance” march is scheduled to take place in Manhattan following a 10:15 a.m. press conference Monday, April 2. Stephanie Hires, the mother Israel Ramirez- the slayed bodyguard for Busta Rhymes. Previously Russell Simmons and the leaders of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network were scheduled to participate in the march also. Dr. Ben Chavis of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network said: “We are involved to try to help mediate this problem. In truth, every child in our community is precious. The theme of the Hip-Hop Summit is taking back responsibility. With artistic freedom comes responsibility.”

Shortly after this statement was released Russell Simons and HSAN leaders decided not to participate in the march stating, “HSAN is impartial and will not take sides in the dispute.” Contrary to prior reports, 50-Cent was not present during the assault.

Yayo was released from prison January 8, 2004 after being sentenced to a year in jail. Yayo celebrated his 29th birthday on March 29th.