Gang Summit As Rappers Call For End To Violence

Gang leaders meet in Los Angeles for an anti-violence summit led by rappers The Game and Snoop Dogg.

Rappers have held a town hall-style summit for gang members in Los Angeles aimed at curbing violence.

The Game and Snoop Dogg called the meeting and promoted the event - "Time To Unite: United Hoods + Gangs Nation" - on social media, inviting leaders of the Crips, Bloods and other street gangs.

The rapper, who grew up as Jayceon Terrell Taylor in nearby Compton, said he hoped the summit would inspire men to have a "much-needed conversation" about their influence on young people and how to be better role models.

Others attending the summit included performer and The Voice judge will i.am, anti-gang activists and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.

A screen was set up outside the summit for members of the public who could not get in and free water was handed out as people braved temperatures of up to 27C.

Mr Beck spoke with people in the crowd before going inside and said the meeting was a step in the right direction.

There was a not a big police presence at the summit, which attracted hundreds of people.

The Game wrote on Instagram: "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."

Earlier this month, The Game and Snoop Dogg led a peaceful march to Los Angeles police headquarters, meeting with the mayor and police chief to talk about improving relations between authorities and minority communities.

They also spoke at a press conference following the police killings of black men and then the racially-motivated murders of five police officers in Dallas by a gunman.--.sky.com