Features

All Categories

Raheem DeVaughn Arrested for Occupy Wall St. Protest

Posted Oct 18th 2011 3:30PM by Kenneth Partridge
Comments

Earl Gibson III, WireImage

Such big-name artists as Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco have thrown their support behind Occupy Wall Street -- the much-publicized movement aimed at combating corporate greed -- but Raheem DeVaughn has taken his dedication a step further.

On Sunday (Oct. 16), the Grammy-nominated neo-soul crooner was arrested on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court and held overnight by Washington, D.C., police, MTV's RapFix reports.

DeVaughn -- who was recognized in May for his charitable work and given a key to the city by Washington, D.C., mayor Vincent C. Gray -- was hauled in alongside activist Dr. Cornel West and a group of 17 other protestors. Speaking with RapFix, the singer explained the circumstances of his arrest.

"Once you step foot on the Supreme Court steps, you lose your first amendment rights," he said. "I don't see how as an American citizen you can't go to the Supreme Court steps and speak your mind or speak your piece peacefully. We were given some warnings, three to be exact, then they proceeded to take us off to jail."

DeVaughn called his jail stint a "learning experience" and compared the prison system to "modern day slavery." Despite his brush with incarceration, he says he plans to become even more active in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

"I've been creating a soundtrack for a movement and I plan to get down to Freedom Plaza and hit up Wall Street when I'm in New York," he said. "I want get out there and touch the people. This is what I talk about in my music."

The crooner's last project, his third studio album, 'The Love & War MasterPeace,' was released in March 2010. The effort spawned the Ludacris-assisted single 'Bulletproof.'

Watch Raheem DeVaughn's 'You'

Follow @theboombox on Twitter | Like Us on Facebook | Sign Up for Newsletter

Download Raheem DeVaughn Songs | Buy Raheem DeVaughn Albums

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News
Email This

CHECK OUT THE CONCERT

N/A N/A

N/A

Starting from N/A

Average Price N/A

SEE MORE TICKETS »

UPCOMING SHOWS IN YOUR AREA

- -

Around The Web:

Raheem DeVaughn Speaks On Occupy DC Arrest

In other news: Raheem DeVaughn; Susan Sarandon

TBD ArtsBook: Raheem DeVaughn goes to jail

Add a Comment

Sign in »

24 Comments

Filter by:

success

It is as American as apple pie to Protest - it is our right as an American. People have given their lives for this right. There's nothing wrong with capitalism but it should be Ethical Capitalism. This is one of the things the Occupiers are protesting. Back in the 80's during the S&L (Keating 5) scandal with the banks, people went to jail. There has been another crime perpetrated by the banks on the American people with their tax dollars and nobody is being prosecuted..And let's talk Vets, they are not receiving the medicalcare they deserve when they return from war defending our country and that is a bloody shame. Who's going to stand up for them? OWS is. Corporate ethics - yes, Corporate welfare - no!

October 21 2011 at 5:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

barney

hewuzhongree

October 19 2011 at 12:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jennifer

And exactly WHAT are these people accomplishing? Nothing. These protests just cost taxpayers money. Do you think that Wall Street will change anything? No.

October 19 2011 at 12:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Lori Baxter Cloninge

There is an enormous difference between jail and prison. Let's try to not exaggerate, Mr. Partridge.

October 18 2011 at 11:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

AFMomXs2

Now that is funny... what the Dumb A$$ don't get is they are the Rich and they want their money too !!! BAAAaaaaahhhh !!!

October 18 2011 at 11:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sarahwhite

My friends told me about — BlackwhitePlanet. C’ 0- M —–told It’s the best place to meet black white singles. Come in and stay a while. Complete your profile. Post a message, a picture of yourself and check out the photo galleries. Give it a try, you will find someone you like there... ;)
He is not rich either. If it sounds like I don't agree with the protestors I don't. Get a job and earn a living and stop complaining. To me all of you should be protesting Washington DC, it was the politicians that bailed out the banks, GM andlet's not forget the Obama contribution of millions of tax dollars for a solar company that just filed bankruptcy

October 18 2011 at 11:18 PM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down Reply

pruettee

You people are followers. This whole thing is backed by the Democrats and the Obama Administration.

October 18 2011 at 10:17 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

belldn3

Nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in.

October 18 2011 at 9:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to belldn3's comment

Susan

Exactly........thank you. We wouldn't even be here if a lot of those before us hadn't done just that.

October 18 2011 at 9:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mary Manna

This Wall Street group just amazes me, I have watched the individuals on TV and they all have l phones, etc., etc., Guess they don;t have a problem with all the big technology companies that make billions. Oh and by the way, the big movie stars, singers, rap groups etc., guess they don't make money. Oh yes, then there is Buffet who can't live to spend all of his money keeps speaking about he doesn't pay enough taxes, well all of these individuals should go on down to Wall street and hand out money to these individuals, and Buffet write the Federal Government a check and stoping complaining he doesn't pay enough taxes.

I have worked for 50 years, and no, I don't have a lot of money and I am not a holder of stocks. I pay my bills, make my house payment and buy food. I will never be rich, but I work and take care of my 88 year old dad. Who by the way is a WW II vet and fought for your freedoms. He is not rich either. If it sounds like I don't agree with the protestors I don't. Get a job and earn a living and stop complaining. To me all of you should be protesting Washington DC, it was the politicians that bailed out the banks, GM andlet's not forget the Obama contribution of millions of tax dollars for a solar company that just filed bankruptcy. That'swho should be the benefactor of these protests.

October 18 2011 at 9:16 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Mary Manna's comment

nutmegdoug

So well said. Thank you so much for articulating this position so well.

October 18 2011 at 11:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rachel Styles

The US economy is in the toilet right now. A lot of people don't have jobs and a lot of people are protesting on wall street and blaming the banks for what is happening. If you have a business and it is suffering from the economy, this e-book will teach you how to keep your business running in any economy.

http://alturl.com/8d8bo

October 18 2011 at 8:53 PM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down Reply