Groups Say Video Game Depicts Haitians As Criminals (Grand Theft Auto)

NY1 ^ | 11/25/03

[finnman69]

Two Haitian-American advocacy groups want to pull the plug on a popular video game in which players earn points for carjacking and other violence.

The Haitian Centers Council and Haitian Americans for Human Rights say the game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" promotes racism against Haitians, depicting them as criminals.

Dozens of community leaders denounced the game at a protest on the steps of City Hall Tuesday, calling on federal and local prosecutors to investigate whether the game violates civil rights laws. They are also calling on consumers to boycott products against the maker, Rockstar Games, and its parent company, Take Two Interactive Software.

“While freedom of speech is protected by our constitution in this great country,” said Sanford Rubenstein, an attorney with the protestors, “we all know that that freedom does not protect yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater. By the same token video games with racist dialogue, including ‘Kill all the Hatians,’ should not be protected either.”

Another demonstration is planned for December 15 in front of Rockstar’s Lower Manhattan offices.

Rockstar has not yet responded to the allegations.

[stands2reason]

Liotta portrayed Henry Hill in "Goodfellas" (based on the book "Wiseguys") --Henry Hill is now living under an assumed name in the Witness Program. Joe Pesci played Tommy De Vito in the same film.

[TheOtherOne]

Assumed name...LOL. He is hardly laying low anymore.

Thursday, November 20, 2003

Dinner and a mobster at the Yankee Diner

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Henry Hill, the inspiration for the movie "Goodfellas" and author of "The Wiseguy Cookbook," is asking the public to mangia! mangia! with him this Saturday.

Hill, a former associate of the Lucchese crime family who spent years in the federal Witness Protection Program, is hosting a reception at the Yankee Diner, 5300 24th Ave. N.W. at 6:30 p.m. The $95 event includes a five-course meal, with wine, and a signed copy of Hill's book.

For reservations, call 206-783-1999.

[billbears]

Never had seen that and played it again last night and went out to the construction site. You're right!! They've even got the lisp down on certain lines.

[OXENinFLA]

Tommy Vercetti says:"There's just no better way of relieving steam than to pummel some old folks on the golf course."

And another thing, GTA-VC is set in a sudo-MIAMI setting,of course there's going to be cubans!!!

OMG, a SHARK!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OXENinFLA]

Some of the radio shows are hilarious!!!!

THOR!!!!!!!