Lobbyists and greedy politicians, beware. Young people are watching and ready to be heard if you, once again, block the long overdue repeal of the draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws. If you believe in equal justice and fairness, this is your chance to raise your voice, once again, as we demand an end to the Rockefeller Drug Laws across the state of New York. This is also the perfect time to do away with all the unjust mandatory minimum sentencing drug laws throughout the United States.

Remember, it was Jay Z, Diddy, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, Rev. Run, Fat Joe, Erykah Bydu, Damon Dash, Wyclef, and many other artists, along with then-Senator Hillary Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, then-Senator Patterson, and many others who took the lead on this issue and came out to speak at the National Rally drawing over a hundred thousand people at the NYC City Hall in 2003. That rally made the big difference in public consciousness about these terrible laws.

Today, right now, we have finally arrived at that auspicious moment when NY Governor David Patterson, State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, and State Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver should all be on the same page to get rid of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

No more excuses. No more partisan bickering while thousands of people languish in prison unjustly, directly as a result of these discriminatory, and unfair mandatory minimum sentencing drug laws. The time to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws is now.

Since 1973, thirty-six long years, tens of thousands of people have been imprisoned unjustly because of the reactionary enactment of the repressive Rockefeller Drug Laws.

But this is not just a New York issue, it is an urgent national matter. For more than three decades, hundreds of thousands of people have been given harsh mandatory prison sentences for low level drug offenses.

We helped to break the national silence about this issue back in 2003. Of course, we joined with the Drug Policy Alliance (www.drugpolicy.org), the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (www.hsan.org) and many other organizations to raised public awareness about this issue.

Since then, we have had to go to federal court just to defend our right to speak out on this issue, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees, and had to work to encourage past NY Governor Pataki to sign the first step in the reform effort. Now it is time to take more steps to finally repeal.

Jim Jones’ throbbing video “Lock Down” exhibits how hip-hop keeps our communities energized and conscious about this call for action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obvduEttees Also check out the movie trailer “Lock Down USA” about the Rockefeller Drug Laws : http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=oLWLpgfsr4s You should also get more information about this important documentary film at: www.lockdownusa.com

Do the right thing now! Get rid of the Rockefeller Drug Laws and all mandatory minimum sentencing. With all of the medical and other research available, it seems criminal and irresponsible for a public servant to stand by or oppose change. Back in 2003, then-Senator Patterson stood with us, Malcolm Smith stood with us and then-State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stood with us. We’re counting on you now.

– Russell Simmons (Chairman, HSAN) and Dr. Benjamin Chavis (President/CEO, HSAN)

New York, NY, January 5, 2009: Russell Simmons, Valeisha Butterfield, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the world’s largest coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives, announced today that Heineken is the Presenting Sponsor and MySpace Music Hip-Hop (www.myspace.com/hiphop) is the Platinum Online Sponsor of the upcoming Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, a black tie charity gala, on January 19, 2009 at 8:00pm, at The Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

Russell Simmons, HSAN Chairman and Co-founder, emphasized, “The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will be a fantastic gala and upscale party in celebration of Barack Obama being inaugurated President of the United States. We are also recognizing the outstanding contributions of T.I., LL Cool J and Young Jeezy in helping to turn out the largest young adult vote in American history.”

“Heineken is proud to be part of the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, celebrating the drive and passion of artists who were instrumental in mobilizing voter turnout in this year’s election,” said Filip Wouters, Vice President of Marketing for the Heineken Brand Equity. “While all of these artists have achieved tremendous success through their music, Heineken further applauds their efforts to empower and encourage voters to take an active role in their futures by casting their votes in this historic election.”

MySpace Political Director, Lee Brenner stated, “It’s a great honor to be part of this momentous occasion and to be partnering with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network for this celebration of positive change. As the biggest online community for Hip-Hop music, we feel that it is a privilege to help spread the word about the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball and all that it stands for.”

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a fundraiser with all ticket proceeds going to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to continue its non-profit work in helping to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

Tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis by going to
www.Hiphopinaugural.org or www.HSAN.org.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will kick off with a star-studded red carpet and celebrity sponsorship reception at 8pm at the Harman Center, followed by an awards presentation and a VIP black tie gala and party on all four levels of the venue. DJ D-Nice will serve as the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Celebrity DJ throughout the whole night.

The exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is CBS Radio WPGC 95.5 FM. The magazine partner is Vibe Magazine. The premiere online media partners are the online news and information epicenter for the Hip-Hop community, Global Grind, www.globalgrind.com, and the celebrity, gossip and entertainment news site Young, Black & Fabulous, www.TheYBF.com.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Host Committee is a select group of hip-hop leaders and artists who have expressed their endorsement and support including T-Pain, Akon, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jon Platt, Fat Joe, MC Lyte, Terrence J, Devyne Stephens, Mario, Ginuwine, DJ Don Cannon, Winky Wright, NFL players Baltimore Ravens’ Terrell Suggs, San Francisco 49ers’ Vernon Davis and Free Agent All Pro Defensive End, Simeon Rice.

About Hip-Hop Summit Action Network:
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is the largest, worldwide non- profit 501 c. 4, non-partisan coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives united in the belief that hip-hop is an instrumental agent for positive social change. HSAN is a social change, program driven non-profit organization that creates strong, effective relationships and brand loyalty between companies, organizations and their consumers. We are a full- service, multi-national organization dedicated to creating, planning and executing cause marketing campaigns for our partners. HSAN also has a sister organization entitled the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund 501 c.3.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a fundraiser with ticket proceeds going to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to continue its non-profit work in helping to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

Tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis by going to www.Hiphopinaugural.org or www.HSAN.org .

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will kick off with a star-studded red carpet and celebrity sponsorship reception at 8pm at the Harman Center, followed by an awards presentation, recognizing hip-hop artists who’ve helped to generate the largest youth voter turnout in American history. A VIP party on all four levels of the venue will follow. The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a black tie gala. The exclusive radio partner for the Ball will be CBS Radio WPGC 95.5 FM. The premier online media partners are Global Grind, www.globalgrind.com, and the celebrity, gossip and entertainment news site Young, Black & Fabulous, www.TheYBF.com .

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Host Committee is a select group of hip-hop leaders and artists who have expressed their endorsement and support including T-Pain, Akon, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jon Platt, Fat Joe, MC Lyte, Terrence J, Devyne Stephens, Mario, Ginuwine, DJ Don Cannon, and others to be announced.

New York, NY, December 11, 2008: Russell Simmons, Valeisha Butterfield, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) announced today plans to sponsor the first Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on January 19, 2009 at the prestigious Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a fundraiser with ticket proceeds going to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to continue its non-profit work in helping to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

Tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis by going to www.Hiphopinaugural.org or www.HSAN.org .

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will kick off with a star-studded red carpet and celebrity sponsorship reception at 8pm at the Harman Center, followed by an awards presentation, recognizing hip-hop artists who’ve helped to generate the largest youth voter turnout in American history. A VIP party on all four levels of the venue will follow. The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a black tie gala and will run from 8pm – 2am on January 20.

Russell Simmons, Chairman and Co-founder of HSAN, emphasized, “We are celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, and the magnificent turn out of young voters across America. Hip-Hop is all about transformation and it is a thrill to help make this history.”

Valeisha Butterfield, Executive Director of HSAN, affirmed, “The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will focus on the significant contributions of hip-hop moguls and artists that helped inspire and mobilize the largest youth voter turn-out in American history. This is a celebration and a commitment to sustain the civic engagement of young people.”

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Host Committee is a select group of hip-hop leaders and artists who have expressed their endorsement and support including T-Pain, Akon, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jon Platt, Fat Joe, MC Lyte, Terrence J, Devyne Stephens, Mario, Ginuwine, DJ Don Cannon, and others to be announced.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Event Committee members include: Zachary McDaniels, Committee Chairperson; Aisha and Desho Productions, Lisa Bennett, Sonjay DeCaires, Drath, LaRian Finney and VMG, Inc., Jasmin Franjul, Jill Henry, Miya Jones, Jody L. Miller and JLM PR, The Murphy Law Firm and Lindsey Williams.

Dr Benjamin Chavis, President and Co-founder of HSAN, concluded,”The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will be a dignified and elegant celebration of this historic, transformative Inauguration. TI and LL Cool J, along with the Hip-Hop Caucus’ Respect My Vote campaign, will be given much deserved awards for their outstanding leadership to get the vote out. It will be the hottest Inaugural celebration party in Washington, DC.”

About Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is the largest, worldwide non- profit 501(c)(4), non-partisan coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives united in the belief that hip-hop is an instrumental agent for positive social change. HSAN is a social change, program driven non-profit organization that creates strong, effective relationships and brand loyalty between companies, organizations and their consumers. We are a full- service, multi-national organization dedicated to creating, planning and executing cause marketing campaigns for our partners. HSAN also has a sister organization entitled the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund 501(c)(3).