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Paramount removes billboards for film starring rapper 50 Cents after protests

By Tanya Kersey
BlackTalentNews.com
(October 29, 2005) On Thursday, the distributor of gangsta rapper 50 CENT's upcoming movie, “Get Rich or Die Tryin',” Paramount Pictures, said it was taking down some movie billboards near Los Angeles-area schools after community leaders complained they glorify gangs and violence. Community activists had mounted a campaign charging the posters promoted gun violence. "We have a community group going up against a major studio, and they backed down," said Najee Ali of Project Islamic HOPE. "So everyone was happy with Paramount Pictures, and we commend them for showing corporate responsibility."

The debacle began when the billboards starting springing up all over Los Angeles last week. On Tuesday, a coalition of Los Angeles Community leaders, and parents who have lost children to gun violence held a press conference in Los Angeles to demand that Paramount Studios remove the billboards and posters that are currently being used to promote the upcoming release "Get Rich Or Die Tryin." The billboards and posters depict 50 CENT gripping a gun in his left hand and a microphone in his right

Coalition leader, Najee Ali said, “Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death for young black males in South Central Los Angeles and across urban America. It's irresponsible for Paramount Pictures to promote and market a movie that glorifies carrying guns. Guns are weapons of mass destruction, that are used to kill people, we demand that Paramount Pictures remove these negative images of death and destruction, images that our young children are influenced by.”

Los Angeles Police Sergeant Catherine Plows said she understood Ali and other parents' concerns over the advertisement for the film. "Any form of media that glorifies violence would be of concern to both parents and the police. However, we can't stop people from advertising, " she told E! Online.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich also sent a letter to distributor Paramount Pictures urging the billboards be yanked, starting with one outside a public school in Altadena, a suburb north of Los Angeles. "This billboard conveys to the students a disturbing message actively promoting gun violence, criminal behavior and gang affiliation, he wrote in the letter to Paramount Motion Pictures Group Chairman Brad Gray. Antonovich said the billboard outside the school for sixth through 12th graders was particularly egregious because the community had recently mounted an anti-gang campaign.

“Get Rich or Die Tryin'”, due in theaters November 9, is a semi-biographical story of gansta rapper's life. 50 CENT (“Fiddy”), born Curtis Jackson, was a drug-dealing New York hustler before finding fame as a rap megastar and getting shot nine times..

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Click here for free delivery of the Target Market News Bulletin You'll receive news of breaking stories, exclusives, updates and headlines on the latest developments in African American marketing and media Black Stats Frequently requested data on African American consumers Black Buying Power: $679 Billion (2004) Black U.S. Population: 38.3 million Top Five Black Cities - New York - Chicago - Detroit - Philadelphia - Houston Top Five Black Metros: - New York-New Jersey - Washington-Baltimore - Chicago-Gary - Los Angeles - Philadelphia Top Five Expenditures: - Housing 110.2 bil. - Food 53.8 bil. - Cars/Trucks 28.7 bil. - Clothing 22.0 bil. - Health Care 17.9 bil. Click here for more stats from "The Buying Power of Black America." ______________________ Get quick access to key U.S. Census Bureau Data Click here to go to African-American Census Bureau data _____________________ Copyright `© 2005 by Target Market News Inc.` All rights reserved Business address: 228 S. Wabash Ave. Suite 210 Chicago, IL 60604 t. 312-408-1881 f. 312-408-1867 info@targetmarketnews.com	THE LATEST NEWS Paramount removes billboards for film starring rapper 50 Cents after protests By Tanya Kersey BlackTalentNews.com (October 29, 2005) On Thursday, the distributor of gangsta rapper 50 CENT's upcoming movie, “Get Rich or Die Tryin',” Paramount Pictures, said it was taking down some movie billboards near Los Angeles-area schools after community leaders complained they glorify gangs and violence. Community activists had mounted a campaign charging the posters promoted gun violence. "We have a community group going up against a major studio, and they backed down," said Najee Ali of Project Islamic HOPE. "So everyone was happy with Paramount Pictures, and we commend them for showing corporate responsibility." The debacle began when the billboards starting springing up all over Los Angeles last week. On Tuesday, a coalition of Los Angeles Community leaders, and parents who have lost children to gun violence held a press conference in Los Angeles to demand that Paramount Studios remove the billboards and posters that are currently being used to promote the upcoming release "Get Rich Or Die Tryin." The billboards and posters depict 50 CENT gripping a gun in his left hand and a microphone in his right Coalition leader, Najee Ali said, “Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death for young black males in South Central Los Angeles and across urban America. It's irresponsible for Paramount Pictures to promote and market a movie that glorifies carrying guns. Guns are weapons of mass destruction, that are used to kill people, we demand that Paramount Pictures remove these negative images of death and destruction, images that our young children are influenced by.” Los Angeles Police Sergeant Catherine Plows said she understood Ali and other parents' concerns over the advertisement for the film. "Any form of media that glorifies violence would be of concern to both parents and the police. However, we can't stop people from advertising, " she told E! Online. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich also sent a letter to distributor Paramount Pictures urging the billboards be yanked, starting with one outside a public school in Altadena, a suburb north of Los Angeles. "This billboard conveys to the students a disturbing message actively promoting gun violence, criminal behavior and gang affiliation, he wrote in the letter to Paramount Motion Pictures Group Chairman Brad Gray. Antonovich said the billboard outside the school for sixth through 12th graders was particularly egregious because the community had recently mounted an anti-gang campaign. “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”, due in theaters November 9, is a semi-biographical story of gansta rapper's life. 50 CENT (“Fiddy”), born Curtis Jackson, was a drug-dealing New York hustler before finding fame as a rap megastar and getting shot nine times.. Go to Target Market News homepage	ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY! Target Market News Presents The 2005 African- American Magazine Summit November 15th, 2005 Time Warner Inc. The Time & Life Building New York, N.Y. ______________________ The third annual all-day symposium for publishing and marketing executives to examine the latest research, trends and opportunities for African- American magazine publishers and advertisers Sponsored By Hear presentations from the following advertisers and publishers: Almae Publishers Representatives Black Enterprise Magazine Brand Jordan E. 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