Huge Anti-Violence Rally In Newark Will Include Gang Truce Talks

NEWARK, NJ — It takes a true community effort to turn tragedy into a movement for peace and justice. And that’s exactly what hip hop artist Mysonne and a huge coalition of community groups hope to make happen on Saturday, June 15 in Newark at the #KingsStopKillingKings march.

The massive anti-violence event is being held in the memory of late Grammy-nominated artist and community leader Nipsey Hussle. It takes inspiration from a celebrated #KingsStopKillingKings march that took place on April 14 in the Bronx, New York, which brought together gang leaders from the Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings and Black Spades in an effort to coordinate a city-wide gang truce.

Organizers with The Gathering for Justice said that a similar effort to bring local gangs together for a peace talk will be made in Newark on June 15.

Mysonne – who was a key organizers in April’s march in the Bronx – will join with Mayor Ras Baraka and several local community leaders to spearhead Saturday’s peace talks, The Gathering for Justice stated.

A spokesperson for the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition said the group plans to work with Mysonne and other organizers to "bring together contentious elements from our streets seeking to start the process of brokering a truce among those forces and to stop the dangerous current wave of violence traumatizing our city."

A request for comment about the June 15 event was not immediately returned by the Newark Mayor's Office.

A MARCH FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE

The public march will begin at 4 p.m. from the Terrace Ballroom at 1020 Broad Street and will conclude at Washington Park for a rally at 5 p.m.

Attendees are expected to include actress and producer Yandy Smith-Harris, Women’s March Co-Chairs and Justice League NYC members Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, hip hop artist and author Chi Ali, as well as leading violence interrupters and community organizers including Shanduke McPhatter and Jamila T. Davis of Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes (G-MACC Inc.).

Local groups and nonprofits such as the Brick City Peace Collective, Newark Antiviolence Coalition (NAVC), Newark Community Street Team, West Ward Victims Outreach, Newark Street Academy, STOP SHOOTING Inc., Live In Peace, 211 Community Impact and The K.I.N.G. Movement will also support the event.

"I want to see all the big homies, lil momies ganstas, Gs, business men, blue collar brothers , preachers, etc. out there reaffirming our brotherhood," Mysonne wrote on social media. "When we identify each other as brothers we can't kill one another."

“This rally and peace march is a tribute to the late, great Nipsey Hussle, whose tireless work on behalf of social justice inspired countless activists to join our movement,” said Carmen Perez, executive director of The Gathering for Justice.

Perez, who also served as the national co-chair of the iconic Women’s March, said that #KingsStopKillingKings honors Nipsey's legacy of “community, unity and brotherhood.”

“The Gathering for Justice hopes that #KingsStopKillingKings Newark will spark a movement,” Perez said. “We are so grateful for the exceptional work done by Mysonne and Mayor Ras Baraka to turn this idea into a reality.”

• See related article: Brother Of Slain Essex County Teacher Says 'We Need A Movement'

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