The island nation has also taken steps to meet the wants of protestors who, in 2009 angrily demanded that Iceland’s leaders and bankers be held accountable for the country’s economic and financial collapse.

Currently, over 200 people are facing charges in the aftermath of Iceland’s financial meltdown, including three of the country’s top banking executives.

Read more about what basically amounts to the Icelandic government telling their own banking system to shove it on bloomberg.com.

Below is a video from Da Raw Journalist taking the story further and analyzing what this means for the rest of Europe and the world. Go Iceland!

Warning: This video contains a lot of profanity and may not be appropriate for all viewers. Despite the language used in the video, the core message in it, I believe is very important.

This gun target made in the likeness of Trayvon Martin is absolutely disgusting. And apparently, the maker (the Hiller Armament Company of Virginia) can’t keep them in stock.

This is not just disturbing, it’s possibly illegal. According to Virginia law, no one can profit off of the likeness of any person without his consent, which in this case would be impossible to obtian since Trayvon is deceased.

Now there is a petition circulating to ask Virginia’s Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, to investigate the Hiller Armament Company and punish them if they have broken the law.

You can sign the petition here.

During a peaceful protest on April 20 in the capital of Uganda, Ingrid Turinawe, a prominent female politician and chairperson for the Women League of the Forum for Democratic Change was arrested and sexually assaulted during the arrest.

As the video at the top of this post shows, at least four policemen violently pulled her out of a car, with one officer repeatedly clutching her breast. Turinawe says the assult was so violent that it caused her breast to bleed.

Ugandan police first denied the attack, although the video clearly shows the officer repeatedly assaulting Turinawe. That officer has since been suspended.

Turinawe’s assault is not a lone one, as women in Uganda are routinely targeted for harassment and sexual abuse during protests.

This assault has sparked an outcry in Uganda, with women across the country taking to the streets to demand that police stop harassing and violating them while they exercise their right to freedom of expression.

Sexual assault by men in uniform is at epidemic proportions in Uganda. A flood of support for the women of Uganda and for Turinawe from around the world could push the police to make real policy changes — and even impact the frequency of sexual assaults committed by other uniformed men, like soldiers.

Sign this petition today started by Ugandan activist and filmmaker Zubedah Nanfuka to tell the Ugandan Inspector General of Police that Ugandan women should not have to live in fear of police officers!

In 2012, it’s time to let all men of the world know that women worldwide are not going to take his sh*t anymore! Assault of one woman anywhere is an assault on all women everywhere!

The latest rapper to be signed to the infamous Def Squad camp (home to Redman and Keith Murray), Gabz is an emcee with a crown of consciousness and the heart of a pugilist, a duality he owes to being raised in the streets of Southside Chicago and in the Nation of Islam since he was 5 years old.

Gabz, who has worked with everyone from Kanye West, No I.D. and Rhymefest to DJ Jazzy Jeff is featured on several tracks from Erick Sermon’s new mixtape ‘Breath Of Fresh Air’.

Recently, Heavy Mentalist’s own Street Poet Monte Smith had a chance to chop it up with Gabz on life, hip hop, politics and more.

1. Tell the world where you’re from and how hard (or easy) of a journey it has been.

I am from Chicago and it has definitely been a hard journey being an aspiring artist here. I am thankful for the experience though because it has taught me how to make it anywhere in the world. Chicago is a tough city to make it from. We are mainly known for Gangsters & Politics.

2. What makes you an emcee?

What makes me an M.C. is my ability to capture the attention of many culturally diverse audiences through rhyming and connect with them and their experiences.

3. How did you become the newest member of Def Squad and how are the other members treating you?

I actually met Erick Sermon in Chicago. I gave him some music, he listened to it and enjoyed what he heard and reached out to me. We have been working ever since. The Squad is showing me a lot of love. It’s really dope.

4. How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop? What’s good and what’s bad in your eyes?

I feel Hip-Hop definitely has some pros and cons right now. I think most of the cons
fall on corporate in terms of allowing the culture to be so watered down in terms
of it content.

I don’t fault the artist for doing them. I mean, they got an opportunity and took it.

There isn’t any balance in the music anymore from a commercial [standpoint]. I mean of course we have the internet which allows artist of all walks to reach the
people. Hip-Hop as a whole used to have so much variety in terms of the artistry
and now it’s nearly one dimensional. The pros of Hip-Hop is artists like myself, Lupe, Slaughterhouse and Kendrick Lamar can help bring content and balance back.

5. What’s the name of 5 current emcees you would like to battle publicly?

If the money right, ANYBODY!

6. What are your political views in 2012?

My political view every year is I HATE POLITICIANS! I represent and speak for the people. Politics spelled backwards is bullshit…LMAO!

7. How do you plan to elevate the art of rhyming?

I plan to elevate the art by keeping God in the center of all my ideas.

8. What product do you have currently available, what new projects are coming out and when?

Currently, Erick Sermon’s ‘Breath Of Fresh Air’ mixtape. Also I have music on my website www.twonegabz.com. My new mixtape ‘Gift Of Gabz Vol.1′ will drop this summer.

9. Where can people find you, your product and info?

See the above question for my website and follow me on Twitter @twonegabz.

10. The last question is an open mic. Too many times an artist has wished he or she had been asked one particular question. What is that question for you?

I think you did a great job at the questions!

Gabz – ‘Bully’

Bonus: J. Ivy ft. Twone Gabz & Mikkey Halsted – ’2012′

The group was a project of Isaac Hayes and one time songwriting partner David Porter. Hayes can be heard on this cut manning the keys (organ and piano).

Big up to one of my favorite Youtube channels, DallasChiTown for this upload!

The inimitable Son house, recorded in 1967 as part of the American Folk Blues Festival.

This is original blues, straight from the soul of a one man band with a bad-ass guitar and equally bad-ass playing skills to go with it.

The feeling House emanates in this song is carved from a lifetime of heartache and struggle — something that cannot be bought, taught or imitated, no matter who tries to do it.

And that’s why there is no version or cover of this song by anyone, any artist, any group, or any entity in the universe that is better or even compares to this, and I’ll cut a bitch who tries to tell me different!

Of course I’m joking here…sort of. But suffice it to say, I really, really love this song, and this particular version especially.

Smokin’ tune from two of the greatest guitar men who ever lived. This video is part of a studio session recorded in 1983 called Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughn: In Session. Rest in power Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughn!

Maurice Sendak, best known as the curmudgeonly author and illustrator of the poignant and haunting children’s classic Where the Wild Things Are died today of heart failure after having a severe stroke Friday night. He was 83 years old.

Read an interesting take on the the psychological aspects of Sendak’s most famous work here on ABC correspondent Mikaela Conley’s blog.

Rest in power Maurice Sendak!

Voting is now open for round two of the DMC online DJ championships. The winner will be eligible to compete at the DMC World Finals in London in 2012. This grand prize includes travel and accommodations.

Find out more about the DMC, its history and its mission on this page where you can also place your vote–you only have five days left!

Shouts to Tools of War Grassroots Hip hop Newsletter for the tip.

Beautiful tribute to Beastie Boy Adam Yauch aka MCA (RIP). This piece is a limited edition giclee print on canvas by artist Dane Storrusten.