Rapper Common heading to New Jersey for anti-crime rally

Associated PressPublished: August 5, 2015

FILE - In this July 4, 2015, file photo, Common performs at 2015 Essence Music Festival Concert at Superdome in New Orleans. The activist and rapper is going to New Jersey's biggest city to take part in a rally against crime and violence. NJ.com reports Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Common will be among those attending an Occupy the City event on Saturday, Aug. 8. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP, File)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Activist and rapper Common is going to New Jersey's biggest city to take part in a rally against crime and violence.

FILE - In this July 4, 2015, file photo, Common performs at 2015 Essence Music Festival Concert at Superdome in New Orleans. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP, File)

NJ.com reports Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Common will be among those attending an Occupy the City event on Saturday.

The event will begin with a march that has five starting points, one in each ward of the city. The march will end in the heart of the city's downtown. City officials say the event is meant to unite residents against despair, violence and crime.

Common has starred in movies including "Run All Night" and "Selma." He'll be one of several speakers at the Newark rally.

The event is modeled after the Occupy movement against financial inequality that took place in several parts of the country in 2011.