Aspiring Baltimore Politician Objects To Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana Concert

A candidate for Baltimore’s city council has raised concerns over an impending concert featuring Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana. According to the Baltimore Sun, Democratic candidate Donald J. Dewar III sent a letter to Mayor Sheila Dixon and the city's liquor board demanding that the show, which is scheduled for this Saturday (August 18) at the Clarence H. Du Burns Arena, is cancelled and its one-day liquor license is revoked. Dewar argued that the two rapper’s explicit lyrics and violent content were not appropriate for the venue, which he says is located in a residential area. In an effort to drive his point home, Dewar cited an alleged “mini riot” that he claims ensued during a June 15 Lil Kim concert at the same arena.

City police spokesman Sterling Clifford denied that there was any disturbance at the Kim show, saying that no police were called to the area that night. City Councilman James B. Kraft also stated that Dewar’s allegations about the Kim concert were unfounded. "I'm not, and the city is not, saying we support this particular group or these particular entertainers ... but they have a legitimate contract with the city to use the Du Burns Arena," Kraft said. Attorney Paul Gardner, who represents the show’s promoter, IKON Entertainment, said Dewar’s request to reject the liquor license and cancel the show was contrary to the First Amendment. "It's unconstitutional to really erect a policy banning one kind of concert based on its content," Gardner argued. "If Paris Hilton was coming down to the Du Burns Arena on Aug. 18, I do not think Mr. Dewar would be complaining—and she's been convicted.”