Statement Regarding Decision on Dr. Dre Music Video Suit

In 2000 while serving as the Commander of the First Precinct (Downtown) in the Detroit Police Department (DPD), Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown oversaw the Dr. Dre and Eminem concert at Joe Louis Arena. While meeting backstage with a number of officials, including staff from the mayor's office, he discovered that a sexually-explicit video was going to be shown on the screens during the artists' performance. Realizing that many in the Joe Louis audience were underage, he ordered the entertainers to remove that video from their act. If they refused, he warned that he would interrupt the show by cutting the power. Months after the concert, this private conversation appeared in a Dr. Dre music video without the City's permission. Council President Pro Tem Brown along with the other city officials filed a civil lawsuit against Dr. Dre, his management company and the video distributor since a release was never signed. The suit was never about money -- it was about disparaging the professional images and character of Detroit's public officials. Council President Pro Tem Brown will not sit idly by while others misrepresent public servants carrying out their official duties for professional benefit and personal gain. This was a civil suit, which was not filed by the City of Detroit; therefore taxpayer dollars were never utilized. This does not lessen the moral impact at play for Detroit's children in public venues. After many court hearings, including the Michigan Court of Appeals which sided with the plaintiffs, the Michigan Supreme Court voted in the other parties' favor on Friday, March 18, 2011. While Council President Pro Tem Brown doesn't agree with their decision, I respect the high court's ruling.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• Gary Brown
• President Pro Tem Gary Brown
• Detroit City Council
• Detroit
• Dr. Dre
• Eminem
• Joe Loius Arena
• Music Video