Puerto Rico Rappers Lead March Against Violence

Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Dyland and Lenny led a protest march on Dec. 27, 2011 against domestic violence and also against shooting guns in the air, so typical of the Caribbean island's New Year's festivities.

Dyland, born Carlos Castillo Cruz, told that his participation in the march, which wended its way through the streets of the western city of Mayaguez, was due to his concern over violence and a wish to use his fame to contribute to a good cause.

Julio Manuel Gonzalez Tavarez — Lenny — said he felt "alarmed" by the number of murders in Puerto Rico, 1,116 to date in 2011, or 154 more than at the same time last year.

He added that the march could be organized on a monthly basis and that he feels he ought to contribute something to causes like this.