Fiddy Billboards Removed
Full Story:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20051030/en_movies_eo/17678
By Charlie Amter
Sun Oct 30,12:43 AM ET
Sometimes Hollywood listens.
Paramount Pictures has responded to public protests and has removed some controversial billboards for the studio's forthcoming 50 Cent film, Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
The billboards--which depict Fiddy gripping a gun in his left hand and a microphone in his right--immediately prompted an outcry from civil rights activists, politicians and parents, who felt the positioning of the signs in gang-infested areas was irresponsible.
"This billboard conveys to the students a disturbing message actively promoting gun violence, criminal behavior and gang affiliation," Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich wrote to Paramount studio boss Brad Grey. "Placement of the billboard in this location at this time is an insensitive and reckless affront to the parents, school administrators and students seeking to improve their community."
At a rally Tuesday, organizer Najee Ali, head of Project Islamic Hope, said, "We're calling upon Paramount Pictures to remove these billboards out of our neighborhood and from this city." ...