Occupy’ Congressional Candidate Campaigns from Streets with Hip-Hop Video

WILLIAMSBURG — His congressional campaign may have little money, but self-proclaimed “Occupy candidate” George Martinez boasts passion, popular appeal, activist experience — and hip-hop skills.

“I challenge any other candidate to a battle,” a smiling Martinez said in Williamsburg Wednesday, on a break from his campaign as a candidate for New York’s newly drawn 7th U.S. Congressional District.

“Yes, a rap battle.”

Martinez — who is running against longtime Rep. Nydia Velazquez on the Democratic primary ballot in June, along with City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan and first-time candidate Dan O’Connor — unveiled his latest campaign tactic this week: a music video called “Occupy 2.0 All Streets, Bum Rush the Vote.”

The video, shot during Occupy Wall Street’s May Day protests, features the 38-year-old Brooklyn native rapping in a suit on the subway and on the street with demonstrators.

“You can’t kill an idea,” said Martinez about the OWS movement, which led him earlier to record a “hip-hop anthem” with his wife in the fall that has drawn nearly 25,000 views on YouTube.

“My goal is to empower a movement of people that will take this action and use it to take over New York City in the next year.”

That means Martinez — former District Leader for the 51st Assembly District and an adjunct professor in political science at Pace University — also wants an Occupy-inspired mayor, City Council and Congress.

He even named his campaign “Bum Rush the Vote” to signify the people-led movement.

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