Skip navigation

Does 50 Cent billboard promote violence?

Activists want Paramount to take down ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’’ signs

FREE VIDEO
50 Cent protest
Oct. 26: A billboard featuring an ad for rapper 50 Cent's new movie is raising the ire of residents, upset about the image of him holding a gun.

MSNBC

Slideshow
Image: New Moon
  November movies
The “Twilight” sequel, “New Moon” hits the big screen, along with George Clooney in “The Men Who Stare at Goats” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and the apocalyptic “2012” and “The Road.”

more photos

updated 4:29 p.m. ET Oct. 26, 2005

LOS ANGELES - Activists want Paramount Pictures to take down billboards promoting the upcoming film “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” claiming the advertisements promote gun violence.

The billboards depict Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson holding a gun in his left hand and a microphone in his right. One of the advertisements is next to a preschool.

Najee Ali, who organized a rally Tuesday, accused Paramount of irresponsibility for marketing in high-crime areas a movie that he said glorifies carrying guns.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

Slideshow
Image: Jermaine Dupri & Pascal Mouawad's Nu Pop Movement Los Angeles Launch Party
  Celebrity sightings
Lindsay Lohan steps into the light for an event in West Hollywood, Eva Longoria is honored by Latino organization, Kelly Osbourne is on time and more.

more photos

“We’re calling upon Paramount Pictures to remove these billboards out of our neighborhood and from this city,” Ali said.

A Paramount spokeswoman did not immediately return a message left at her office before business hours Wednesday.

“Get Rich or Die Tryin”’ stars Jackson as a drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his true passion, rap music. It’s scheduled to open Nov. 9.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links

Resource guide