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Pete Rock Addresses Police Riot at Concert

Johnny Nunez, WireImage

Two days after the police riot outside of Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock's concert at Tammany Hall in New York City's Lower East Side, the artists involved have released an official statement about the incident.

Referring to the release party for their collaborative effort 'Monumental' as a "peaceful gathering," the statement reveals that the initial altercation occurred after concertgoers were turned away at the door by the club's management.

"A minor argument ensued, but eventually was diffused by the bouncers. Thirty minutes after that minor skirmish 15-20 uniformed Police Officers from the 7th precinct arrived at the venue. Shortly after even more uniformed officers arrived. The officers then hurried into the club and began macing and assaulting individuals inside the club, dragging one of them out and pummeling him directly in front of the club. Present at the event were artists, industry tastemakers, fans, photographers, and cameramen. Several people began filming and recording the unprovoked brutality, much to the dismay of the police. The officers then began to mace and assault anyone within arms length, including several women."

According to Kenneth Montgomery, attorney for Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock, who was in attendance at the concert, the NYPD's actions were "unjustified, unprovoked, and simply barbaric considering there was no provocation."

While none of the artists were harmed in the ensuing fray, the statement reveals that several of their friends and family, including Rock's daughter, were injured in the seemingly unprovoked police attack.

"Pete Rock, Tek and Steele fortunately were not harmed, however some of their friends & family were assaulted by the Police. The group's attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, is addressing the situation now with local community leaders."

At 12PM EST, Pete Rock, Tek and Steele of Smif-N-Wessun held a press conference to discuss the situation at New York Criminal Court on 100 Centre Street, in downtown Manhattan.
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Kim

I definately am not a fan of rap and it was a bit hard to follow this video since it was all over the place~~But it seemed to me that the cops were roughing this gal up to the point where it was unnecessary. I mean numerous cops on 1 female ....really?

July 05 2011 at 6:17 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
free

Lisa youre obviously misguided and one dimensional. Just because chaos ensued does not mean the party goers started it. NYPD has a reputation for creating chaos in certain situations. I worked a nascar event in richmond va and the difference is that police are more willing to reason with these drunken fools and less willing to beat and mace them. When black people are involved it seems like they are more willing to be violent because that is what they are taught. Protect and serve what? Definately not us. Keep living in wonderland if you want to you and others will not wake up until someone close to you get attacked.

July 05 2011 at 6:13 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
slicric13

peacefull gathering, LMAO!

July 05 2011 at 6:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lagrange

Yeah, it'd be easier to chalk this behavior up to blacks if we hadn't recently seen much worse happen in Vancouver. And you know what? I don't think there were any rappers or "gangsta's" involved in that!

July 05 2011 at 5:45 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Lisa

I hate to sound racist....actually you know what, I don't care if I sound racist! I used to frequent Nascar events where there are 100,000 rednecks all in the same place and this crap didn't happen! I go to biker events where these things don't happen! Why is it that if you get more than 25 blacks in one area they have to act like a**holes? There were two bike weeks in Myrtle Beach each year. One for them (all though officials wouldn't say that) and one for the Harley bikers. They moved both because of the way blacks act during their week!

July 05 2011 at 5:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Misipi6gun

Why does this kind of uproar always follow black git togethers or concerts AKA rap ; I'm surprised the police could even stand up because of tripping over the 40oz. bottles and chicken bones and dirty diapers

July 05 2011 at 5:11 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
ryanotters

Community Leaders...what a freaking joke. The only time the speak is when it is against authority....try speaking about the criminals, drug dealers, and deplorable rap lyrics. In watching the video, you can easily tell why police had to REACT as they did because when you have a mob refusing to listen and tashing out at authority as they were, you must get the upper hand quickly.

July 05 2011 at 3:09 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
ryanotters

To even give a voice to such a complete BS story is ridiculous. To label the video police brutality should be laibolous. Sure, police, wihtout provocation, left what they were doing to come attack poor innocent persons who did nothing but cooperate. First, they were CALLED to the scene and when provoked, took action.

Mob mentatility and lack of respect for officers led to a near riot.

July 05 2011 at 3:06 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Bob Dionysus

Hurray and kudos for the NYC police! They're undoubtedly tired of the violence and nonsense that rappers glorify and provoke. Every time I'm in Manhattan, some punk sucker rapper goes out of his way to give me a hard time. I'm tired of black racism, and so are most other people, black people included!

July 05 2011 at 1:39 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
horganhro1

Animals. no rule here and thats what happens Animals

July 05 2011 at 1:30 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to horganhro1's comment
Lisa

No calling them animals is insulting to animals. They are uncivilized savages. Animals don't act like that.

July 05 2011 at 5:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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