Point Pleasant Liquor Store Cancels Rapper 50 Cent Appearance After Autism Mockery Video

A Point Pleasant Boro liquor store says it has canceled an appearance by rapper 50 Cent after he made a video mocking a man with autism.

The Stephens family, which owns Gerards Wine and Spirits on Bridge Avenue in Point Pleasant Boro, canceled a bottle-signing event that 50 Cent - otherwise known as Curtis Jackson - was supposed to attend on May 13.

The family announced the cancelation Wednesday, saying the video from 50 Cent, who is a spokesperson for the Effen vodka brand, was "disgusting."

The rapper has since apologized for the video, which mocked an airport worker with Asperger's, a form of autism.

In the video, 50 Cent teases Andrew Farrell, a janitor at Cincinatti/Northern Kentucky Airport, but Farrell appears to ignore his comments. However, the 19-year-old has trouble communicating because of Asperger's, his friends and family have said publicly after the video was shared.

"As I'm sure you know or have heard, what has unfolded in the last 24 hours with 50 cent and the disgusting video and remarks he has made as a result we have decided to CANCEL the bottle signing at our store," the family announced via Facebook.

"Being in business since 1956, this is completely against everything Gerard's believes in and what we stand for," the family added. We are appalled at his behavior."

The owners also said they have decided to pull all of the vodka brand off the store's shelves and return it to the distributor.

"We live in a community where respect is of utmost importance, and this is completely disrespectful," store representatives said.

The local liquor store owners weren't the only ones appalled by the video. 50 Cent received enough backlash this week that on Thursday, he announced he was donating $100,000 to Autism Speaks, according to TMZ.

The episode prompted the store to raise money in support of autism, also.

"We are currently looking into doing some type of donation for the month of May to an autism awareness charity. If you can suggest local options please comment on this post. Either way please share this post with as many of your friends as possible so we can spread the word about this disgrace."

Farrell's family said they accept 50 Cent's apology.

"Though a letter of apology will not undo what 50 Cent has put our family through, we are choosing to forgive," the family said, according to the BBC.

Gerards Wine and Spirits initially announced that it was "excited" that 50 Cent would be at their store on May 13 for a bottle signing of EFFEN Vodka.

"We are excited that 50 Cent is coming to the store to sign bottles and promote the vodka," Joe Stephens, President of Gerards Wine and Spirits, said in a press release. "This is a great opportunity for those in our community to come out, visit the store and meet a celebrity."

Gerards Wine and Spirits is a family-run business operated by father and son, Joe and Joe Jr.

Here are details on the video: