Across the country and especially in political and media hotbeds Washington, D.C. and New York City, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement has become a rallying cry amongst frustrated Americans who are galvanizing in an effort to combat social and economic inequality. Activists and entertainers alike have been marching and standing in solidarity with the movement, with many arrests being made as protestors gather peacefully in public areas.
This past Sunday (October 16) in the Nation’s Capital, professor and political activist Dr. Cornel West and R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn along with 17 others were arrested and held overnight by police officials during the occupancy protests on the steps of the Supreme Court Building, not far from where the dedication ceremony for Dr. Martin Luther King’s memorial was taking place just southwest of the National Mall.
President Obama, a target of Dr. West's recent criticisms, delivered a speech to the throng of people in attendance of the historic event honoring one of the Civil Rights movement's greatest champions. In an almost fitting turn of events, Dr. West and DeVaughn's arrests happening during such a landmark event in honor of a vocal and globally beloved social activist could perhaps be seen as more than just mere coincidence.
Monday evening (October 17), MTV had the pleasure of speaking first with Raheem DeVaughn upon his release and showed an amazing amount of humility while pledging his time and art in support of the movement – with the inconvenience of being held overnight overshadowed by the bond the soul singer forged with other supporters of the "Occupy" movement. Read More...
Tags dr. cornell west, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Occupy Wall Street, occuy dc, raheem devaugh, Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli
