Vanderbilt football team apologizes for ‘don’t need your permission’ tweet

(Reuters) – Vanderbilt University’s football team apologized for tweeting on Thursday “we don’t need your permission,” a phrase that raised concerns about its attitude toward sexual assault two years after four former players were first accused of rape. The full tweet, which has since been removed from the team’s Twitter account, read: “We are relentless, tough and intelligent and …” above a graphic that read, “We don’t need your permission.” “We apologize for today’s tweet.

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California judge dismisses gang conspiracy case against rapper

By Marty Graham SAN DIEGO (Reuters) – A San Diego judge has dismissed gang conspiracy charges against a rapper whose music prosecutors said encouraged gun violence against rival gangs, in a ruling his lawyer characterized as a victory for free speech. Rapper Brandon Duncan, who uses the stage name Tiny Doo, was one of seven people charged last June in a 16-count indictment that centered on nine shootings that took place in 2013 and 2014 involving the so-called Lincoln Park gang. Duncan was charged with nine counts of conspiracy to participate in a criminal street gang by prosecutors who said his music and social media presence encouraged the violence, although he was not accused of taking part in the shootings.

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