This petition is to end discrimination in the United States military by exposing it. After Army CPT Channing Von Taylor - widely known as hip-hop artist Von-T -  refused to comply with unlawful orders to remove his music videos from social media, he was convicted of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and deprived of needed medical services. To help him clear his record, and address other abusive behavior in the armed forces, an alliance of game-changers has launched Operation Musical Freedom taking on the baton passed on from LT. James Reese Europe. Europe stood against his superior officers for his right to play jazz music as his artistic expression and was met with much opposition and jazz music deemed classless and distasteful. 

100 years later artists like Von-T are met with the same attitude and unjust punishment for playing and or participating in rap and hip hop music in hidden pockets in the army.

Nobody should face criminal charges for merely creating music that a commanding officer doesn't like. We owe our troops the assurance that their rights - including freedom of speech - will be honored.

We call on Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing a safe space in the military for all artistic expression as long as that form of expression does not actually violate any laws and to enable victims of bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse to speak out without suffering reprisals. We need your signature today as we stand up against discrimination and censorship to protect our service members.

To check out Von-T's music please click here!