Snoop Lion & BET Host Panel on Gun Violence Today
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 29, 2013
According to the Children's Defense Fund, homicide is the leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-old African Americans. As we face these staggering realities, today, The League of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF), Snoop Lion (aka Snoop Dogg) and BET Networks announce a partnership to further address the issue of gun violence in black communities across the country.
The partnership goes live on June 29, 2013, during BET Experience at L.A. Live weekend in Los Angeles, CA. The League of Young Voters Education Fund, Snoop Lion and BET will host No Guns Allowed: Disarming Violence in Our Community, a roundtable dialogue on the impact of gun violence in urban communities. The League of Young Voters also Enlisted the NAACP Youth & College Division and Casey Family Programs to join the cause and sponsor the event.
Confirmed panelists for the roundtable include Snoop Lion, T.I., Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation Executive Director Melvyn Hayward Jr., writer and director of the critically acclaimed movie on gun violence Fruitvale Station Ryan Coogler and Executive Director of New Generation Foundation, BranDon Jones. The participants will engage around practical solutions to the gun violence issue, the value of human life and community responsibility. LYVEF Executive Director, Dr. Rob "Biko" Baker will moderate the panel and lead the engaging discussion.
"No Guns Allowed" was written about a very personal incident with my family which I talk about in the REINCARNATED documentary," Snoop Lion said about the Major Lazer produced song that features Drake and his daughter Cori B. "I'm proud the song has sparked a movement and I'm excited about collaborating with The League of Young Voters and BET to spread the message." Check out Snoop Lion's thoughts on the collaboration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44YY9K9soA.
The League of Young Voters Education Fund's NO GUNS ALLOWED grassroots campaign was inspired by entertainment icon Snoop Lion's song "No Guns Allowed" featuring Drake and his daughter Cori B and launched in April. The campaign has mobilized more than 12,000 young people thus far and garnered national media attention from leading outlets, including Jet, Politico and BET. Additional supporters of the initiative include prominent streetwear clothing line Crooks & Castles, who is launching a limited edition "No Guns Allowed" t-shirt. Supporters of the movement who proliferate the #NoGunsAllowedhashtag could have the chance win the exclusive t-shirt.
"I am humbled by the opportunity to have this important and necessary conversation with such influential people," said LYVEF Executive Director, Dr. Rob "Biko" Baker. "This is just the beginning and I am thankful that Snoop Lion is helping us kick it off the right way."
In response to the rising incidence of gun violence in the community, BET Networks developed the DISARM campaign, which kicked off with a special initiative called Moms On A Mission Against Urban Gun Violence done in partnership with the National Action Network. DISARM is a multi-platform initiative designed to promote peace and alternative outlets to violence.
"We are always excited when we are able to partner with artists who use their considerable reach to bring attention to important social issues," said Sonya Lockett, Vice-President, Social Responsibility, BET Networks. "The problem of gun violence is so pervasive in our community that it will take the voices and actions of every sector to make an impact and we are happy to marry BET's DISARM campaign with the efforts of Snoop and The League of Young Voters."
Additional NO GUNS ALLOWED x DISARM partnership initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.
To attend the free No Guns Allowed: Disarming Violence in our Community roundtable discussion on Saturday, June 29, at 4 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott L.A. Live, please RSVP at bree@cashmereagency.com. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be closed once capacity is reached.
Join the "No Guns Allowed" movement now by taking a pledge against violence and submitting personal stories and photos to describe how you've been affected by gun violence using the #NoGunsAllowedhashtag today.
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