An online video campaign by the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) is making use of appearances from Nick Cannon and other public figures to promote its upcoming "Million Youth March," according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Cannon appears in a video inviting the public to attend the NBPP’s Sept. 7 Harlem, N.Y., march, which has been renamed "Millions For Trayvon."
The NBPP has a history of racism and advocating for violence.
Prior to the arrest of George Zimmerman, the NBPP offered a $10,000 bounty for the capture of Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was also labeled by a NBPP representative as "a wicked white beast." The representative added anti-Semitic thoughts that "his father is a Jew, he’s a no good Jew."
NBPP national field marshal King Samir Shabazz called for the group to "cut that cracker’s throat in half and watch his head roll down the street."
Shabazz, who sports a face tattoo that says "Kill Whitey," was arrested last month in New York City for carrying a loaded, unlicensed firearm and wearing illegal body armor.
The NBPP has been advocating for followers to protest the verdict, but the September "Millions for Trayvon" protest is intended to be the largest one.
The group has taken to Twitter with calls including, "Lets Shut Down New York and make our point on September 7th" and "September 7th. We want the whole Black world with us in New York. We will have a massive crowd and a massive response."
NBPP national chairman Malik Zulu Shabazz urged his Twitter followers to "take to the streets [and] stay there."
"Its silly and immoral to call for peace when war has been declared," Shabazz tweeted.
Cannon’s endorsement of the potentially violent march is concerning to groups such as the Anti-Defamation League, which is one of the world’s largest groups formed to fight hatred, prejudice, and bigotry.
"While it is unclear if these celebrity and business leaders realize exactly who and what they are promoting, their endorsements of the Million Youth March only help to legitimize the virulently anti-Semitic and racist message of the New Black Panther Party," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director.
The ADL claims to have made many attempts to contact representatives for Cannon, but representatives for the entertainer have yet to respond.