Akon speaks at upstate NY gun violence forum

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) -- Hip-hop star Akon spoke to students in upstate New York about gun violence as part of a plea agreement for tossing a fan off stage at a concert nearby.

Akon pleaded guilty in December to tossing the teen off stage at a June 2007 concert at Dutchess County Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y. He won't serve jail time but must complete 65 hours of anti-violence and anti-gang community service.

Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik said Thursday's forum fulfilled some of those hours. He said Akon will return to Poughkeepsie in September and participate in a Project SWAG -- Society at War Against Guns -- back-to-school conference.

Akon, whose given name is Aliaune Thiam, will also record a public service announcement about gun violence for use by local radio stations.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)