Gang Summit

By CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY

Gangs around the country are joining forces for a good cause: personal survival. On April 29 a California community group called Hands Across Watts is holding a day-long "Gangs United for Peace Town Hall Summit," at which leaders from the Crips, the Bloods and other gangs will talk about ways to end inner-city violence. Also starting on April 29, the Ohio-based Council for Urban Peace and Justice will hold a four-day-long conference in Kansas City, Missouri, that is expected to draw more than 100 former and current gang members from 20 cities. The highlight of the two events will occur when gang leaders from both meetings are linked via satellite for a teleconference.