A number of rappers and activists will gather on the steps of City Hall in New York City today (July 5th), to protest last week's police raid of a club, during a record release party for Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun.

Last week (June 28th), Pete Rock and Tek & Steele of Smif-N-Wessun were hosting their record release party at Tammany Hall, when over 20 uniformed NYPD officers arrived and began beating and macing patrons inside and outside of the venue.

Now, a group of activists are backing the world renowned rappers and condemning the NYPD for what they claim is “yet another instance of police brutality.”

In addition to Pete Rock and General Steele, Lisa “Cynical” Smith, Lumumba Bandele, Charles Barron, The Monumental Five, and the rappers' lawyer Kenneth Montgomery, will be present at today's rally.

Kevin Powell took offense to Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun's treatment at the hands of the NYPD.

“I have personally worked with Pete Rock and Steele of Smith & Wesson and know their commitment to community, family, and positive, proactive events," Kevin Powell told AllHipHop.com. “This is what makes this over-the-top police violence following their joint CD release party so outrageous and unjust. We say enough of treating every single Hip-Hop gathering in New York like a crime waiting to happen and we say enough to the NYPD's use of excessive inhumane force, especially when it comes to young people and people of color in New York."

Today's rally will take place at 12:00, on the steps of City Hall in lower Manhattan.

For more information e-mail PR@akilaworksongs.com

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