Gang Peace Summit Held in L.A. July 17
Crips, Bloods, Mexicano gang members, rappers, community residents, members of the Nation of Islam, the Black Riders Liberation Party and others came out to a gang peace summit in South L.A. on July 17, at a community center on 80th & Vermont, partly in response to a call from Game, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Mayor Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck showed up, trying to deflect pressure from Black Lives Matter and its allies around accountability for racist police killings with impunity. But the drive towards unity and a peace treaty has clearly advanced as part of the Black community response to such state violence, in L.A., Atlanta and elsewhere. Game had sent out a call on Instagram, and the crowd was large enough to spill out of the hall and into the streets, where the proceedings were simulcast on a large screen. Here’s Game’s message:
Good morning world. I hope everyone slept well….. Los Angeles, on behalf of myself @SnoopDogg, & the honorable @louisfarrakhan I want to extend the invitation to all CRIPS, BLOODS, ESE’s & all other gang members, major figures & GANG LEADERS from every hood in our city as well as the surrounding cities to our meeting 11am this morning, July 17th at 8039 S. Vermont Ave Los Angeles, California 90044 to have the much needed conversation amongst ourselves about our influence on the youth in our respective neighborhoods & how we can serve as better role models to them & the brothers we stand beside daily…. Because the sad truth that no one wants to face is, before we can get OUR LIVES TO MATTER to anyone else… We have to show that OUR LIVES MATTER to US !!!! WE have been responsible for more of the KILLING of ourselves than anyone else by a long shot & the percentages in which BLACK on BLACK, BLACK on BROWN, BROWN on BLACK, BROWN on BROWN murders are so fucking high verses any other killing of us that it is disgusting & this needs to be addressed & laid to rest !!!!! Don’t think we can’t change it & better ourselves, lead by example & make our city a safer place for our children…. Because together, WE CAN !!!! I’m asking everyone who will attend: DO NOT bring any weapons or anything illegal. Do not come high or belligerent.. We don’t need any HOT HEADS or anyone there for the wrong reasons or you will respectfully dealt with & REMOVED from the building… We will stand as we are, UNIFIED. I’m calling ALL GANGS, of ALL RACES, ALL GROWN MEN affiliated or not & WE WILL STAND UNIFIED SUNDAY !!!! Our numbers are all the weapons we need !!! We do not need to be dumb, retarded or uncivilized Sunday… ALL WE NEED IS EACH OTHER… I will not lead any of you into a trap !!!!! LET’S do the opposite of what we’ve been doing & show the world that we are MORE than the problem… Thank you – Game