Hip-Hop stars protest proposed school budget cuts in New York

Jet, June 24, 2002

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons recently organized hip-hop stars to protest proposed budget cuts to New York City public schools and called for a new teacher's contract.

The rally attracted about 100,000 students, teachers and rap fans who crammed eight blocks outside City Hall to protest the proposed cuts by New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Simmons told the crowd: "We're not here to play music for you today ... We're here to stand up for schools, teachers and kids."

Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit Action Network joined the United Federation of Teachers and the Alliance for Quality Education at the rally.

Among the celebrities who participated at the rally were Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Reverend Run, Erykah Badu, Foxy Brown, Rah Digga, Common, Noreaga, Doug E. Fresh and RZA from the Wu Tang Clan.

Keys said onstage: "It's important that we're here for each other and make support for public education our priority." Keys relates to the issue on a personal level--her younger brother's school has already discontinued some programs due to budget cuts.

Combs said, "We're united with the teachers; we need our books, we need our teachers, we need our education and we're not going to settle for less."

LL Cool J noted, "You need to care enough to pay the teachers so the teachers care enough to teach the students. When we're old, we want our youth to be educated enough to run this country."

RZA pointed out, "Mayor Bloomberg can say no one cares, but 100,000 people showed up today."

Entertainer Wyclef Jean was among 10 people who were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Jean was arrested after he attempted to perform, according to news reports. The event's permit barred performances.

After the successful rally, Mayor Bloomberg announced that he was postponing the announcement of his proposed budget.