The group is taking its message of peace directly to the gangs in the push to curb gun violence in the neighborhood.
Through dance, sports programs, and music, Native Sons wants to engage kids – especially as school is out. The organization even has a studio, recording, and producing program.
"A lot of kids are just out in the park with nothing really to do. They get bored," said Native Sons member Johan Starkey,"and then we need to have something to do just be like in that spirit to keep going." "They don't see enough positive role models in the neighborhood to like give them a different outlook on life so they can make a change," said Native Sons member Jamal Washington.
But it doesn't stop there. The group has created what they call the People's Ordinance, where they're asking rival gang members and others to cease fire during the day. "It's like a treaty almost, like where they also agree that we don't want 5-year-olds being killed; we don't want 78-year-olds being shot," Atkins said."We've talked to rival gang members, and they seem to gravitate towards what we're trying to do.""I've noticed that it's a lot that are just like, 'Why not just don't shoot, period?' It's like, we've tried that," Atkins said.
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