Hip Hop activism is in full swing, here's a couple of things to be aware of. I will provide more details next issue. First, props go out to Bay Area Hip Hoppers like Let's Get Free, Mindz Eye Collective, Freedom Fighter Records and EBC to name a few. The day after the election they descended upon Oakland's City Hall with close to 100 people to pay a surprise visit to Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown. They were upset that Brown has been pushing to add 100 more police officers to the city's ranks. He wants to do it to the tune of 70 million dollars. He claims it will help turn around Oakland's skyrocketing murder rate which now stands at 97. The Hip Hoppers want the money and resources directed to social programs.

Brown had put on the November ballot Measure FF which would serve as a recommendation for him to seek out the new police. Voters went to the ballot box and saw a measure that read as follows ' More money for crime prevention programs'. It was deceptively worded so needless to say despite intense campaigning and dozens of rallies, the measure passed. Hence cats decided to pay the Mayor a visit and he wasn't too thrilled to see a 100 headz roll up to his office. Many of the Hip Hoppers wore blood stained shirts to symbolize police brutality victims. They announced to the Mayor that if he hires 100 more cops they will raise a 100 more Conscious Hip Hoppers who will hold the cops accountable for their actions. For those who don't know many of these organizations actually patrol their neighborhoods armed with video cameras and a sophisticated communication's network so they can monitor the police and their actions.

The attempted meeting never happened, Mayor Brown or one of his staff members summoned for the police even though the visitors came in orderly fashion. Once an alarm was sounded they responded by leaving the t-shirts in his office and bounced. More demonstrations and actions are expected.