VAN NUYS : Scientist to Speak at Gang Peace Summit
To bring together the community on issues of gang violence and to celebrate a yearlong gang truce in the San Fernando Valley, a peace summit is scheduled Saturday at the Church on the Way in Van Nuys.
It is expected to draw a crowd of more than 3,000 and will include speakers such as Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, actor John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin of “Cheers”) and scientist Jane Goodall.
Goodall will help plant a tree at the church to commemorate the occasion, according to Richard Patlan of Cities in Schools, a sponsor of the event.
A rap song and a video presentation about the truce negotiation process also are on the day’s agenda.
Since the truce, gang-related homicides have decreased by 99%, according to a release on the summit.
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