Blood and Crip gang members - once deadly enemies - announced Friday the formation of a non-profit corporation to provide cultural, social and recreational projects for inner-city children.
The corporation, dubbed Hands Across Watts Inc., will raise funds for projects and jobs for the children of four Watts housing projects."I don't want these kids to go through what I have . . . the killing, stealing and robbing," said Tyrone "Ty Stick" Baker, a resident of the Nickerson Gardens housing project who was named treasurer of the corporation.
Incorporation papers were to be filed Monday, and thus far only the corporate name has been reserved, attorney Lloyd Robinson said.
Gang members, joined at a news conference by community and religious leaders, also said they wanted to dispel "rumors and misconceptions" about the recent gang truce, saying there have been no black-on-black shootings or gang violence since the truce between two of the city's largest and most deadly gangs was announced more than two months ago.
"There's been a lot of rumors and misconceptions about the truce," said the Rev. James Stern who helped instigate the truce.
Stern blasted politicians and corporations for "providing nothing but lip service about jobs and programs" for inner-city residents and for failing to support the truce.