LOS ANGELES — Rapper The Game said he was moved to call together gang members for an anti-violence summit Sunday after the recent killing of his foster brother in Los Angeles.
An overflow crowd of several hundred gathered at a community center in South Los Angeles to hear pleas for peace from current and former gangbangers, entertainers, activists and preachers from the Nation Of Islam.
Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck shook hands with The Game outside the venue in a show of unity. Beck said the meeting was a “great first step” in the right direction toward curbing violence, especially considering the police shootings Sunday morning in Baton Rouge, La.
The Game, born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, fought back tears as he recounted the recent shooting death of a former gang member he called Spanky. The pair grew up together in foster care in nearby Compton, he said.
“I’m here to be his voice,” said the multi-platinum selling rapper, 36, adding that organizing it was also “a decision made for my children.”
He said by the time his 5-year-old daughter turns 18, “I want her to walk out the door, and I want it to be a little bit … safer.”
The Game put the word out last week on his active Instagram account, inviting leaders of the Crips, Bloods and other street gangs to come together for “Time To Unite: United Hoods + Gangs Nation.” Dozens of gang members heeded the call and filed peacefully into the building to hear more than a dozen speakers.
Aurora Hudson praised the decision to shine a light on “the brutality in our neighborhoods.” The 25-year-old called it a positive experience.
“And if we unite as a group and end gang violence, I think we can get a lot more things done in the community as well,” she said.
Veteran gang interventionist Alex Sanchez urged unity between Latino and black community members.
“If you really care about creating peace in the neighborhood, you have to reach out your hand to that brother,” he said.
