Puff Daddy's 4th party turns into a rally

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y., July 6 (UPI) -- Puff Daddy's Fourth of July bash in New York turned into a political rally when he jumped on stage, announcing plans to get minority voters to the polls.

More than one thousand guests turned out for Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' annual White Party in the Hamptons Sunday. They found the site decorated with "Vote or Die" banners and with the rap star carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

"This party and this campaign is going to be decisive in the outcome of the election," Combs said, explaining his initiative called Citizen Change. "They might try to close us down, but they can't stop us."

The Southampton, N.Y., police did indeed try to shut down the festivities, handing out numerous citations, towing cars and calling for the event to end at 10 p.m. because of noise complaints.

Paris Hilton, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Mary J. Blige, Lennox Lewis, L.L. Cool J and Aretha Franklin were among the white-clad guests attending the party.