RAPPERS JOIN MOCK FUNERAL TO PROTEST GUN VIOLENCE IN NEW YORK!

Harlem, New York rapper Jim Jones will join Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons during the "Tsunami of Peace: Ride, Walk & Rally Against Violence" this week.
Jim Jones and Russell Simmons will be joined by rappers like Juelz Santana, Fat Joe, Maino, Salt and former New York giant Michael Strahan during the rally, which takes place in all five of New York's boroughs.

The event, which is a response to the rise in gun violence throughout New York this summer, is being produced by longtime community activists Erica Ford (Life Camp), A.T. Mitchell (Man Up Inc.), Rev. Vernon Williams (Harlem Clergy, Community Leader's Coalition) and Gloria Cruz (Million Mom March).

"The culture of violence is too normal in our communities," co-organizer Erica Ford told AllHipHop.com. "The organizers of the Tsunami of Peace rally are here to promote a culture of peace, instead. In addition to the mentoring, the educational programs and the training of young people that we do every single day, we are gathering to say that more needs to be done by all sectors of the society, including all elected officials, parents, students, neighbors…everyone. No one has all the answers, but together we can solve this problem."

In a dramatic call to action, the organizers of the rally will stage a funeral procession in all five boroughs. Dozens of Hearse vehicles will assemble in each borough at 10:00 AM.

The vehicles, which have been donated by dozens of local funeral homes, will meet at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge at noon, where activists will walk over the bridge into Manhattan, to peacefully congregate at City Hall Park at Chambers and Center street.

"We cannot accept the constant violence and death in our communities as the norm," Russell Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications, told AllHipHop.com. "Time to stand up."

In Queens, the Hearse's will assemble in Queens on Guy R. Brewer & Baisley Boulevard, in Brooklyn activists will gather at Thomas Boyland & Atlantic Avenue.

In Staten Island, the procession will leave from Jersey Street & Richmond, in the Bronx activists will leave from 156th Street and Morris Ave and in Harlem, the vehicles will leave from 12th Avenue and 125th Street.

The Peace Walk and Ride over the Brooklyn Bridge will take place at 12:00 PM and the Peace Rally in Manhattan will kick off at 1:00 PM.