@bigu1/Instagram/@nipseyhussle/InstagramThe murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle prompted LA gangs to march for peace in Crenshaw.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was shot dead outside his own shop, Marathon Clothing, in South Los Angeles on March 31 in an attack which wounded two other people.
CCTV footage revealed the 33-year-old was shot a number of times, after he and the suspect engaged in a reportedly tense conversation. The rapper was taken to an LA hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.
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His death prompted an extraordinary display of peace between several LA gangs as members gathered in Crenshaw, near where Hussle was killed, on Friday to show their love for their the rapper.
According to TMZ, the march was set in motion on Thursday evening when gang leaders from Watts, Compton, L.A. and Inglewood all met up to talk about a cease-fire.
The leaders reportedly discussed putting the word out in their neighborhoods to put down their firearms and show unity in response to Hussle’s death; a movement which started with the Friday afternoon march.
Members of all gangs gathered and walked together for a couple of blocks, ending up outside Hussle’s shop Marathon Clothing, where people had laid out flowers, balloons and pictures in honour of the rapper.
There reportedly hasn’t been this kind of peace between so many L.A. gangs since 1992.
LA Bloods & Crips had a "March for Peace" honoring the late #NipseyHussle on Friday (April 5th). They started from Nipsey's hood, walked a few blocks and ended at Nipsey's #TheMarathon clothing story.
O.G. Big U calls for all gangs to come to a solution. pic.twitter.com/RyHQ5D142J
— UNSTRIPPED VOICE (@UnstrippedVoice) April 6, 2019
Community leader, Big U, spoke to TMZ about how everyone was on the same page when it came to marching for peace.
He explained:
We’re having a gang rally so all the different gangs from LA can get together and come celebrate the life and the gift for Nipsey.
A lot of people called and said they wanted to get together and come to the vigil and pay respect because Nipsey was the first real LA artist that was from LA… to die the way he died.
Bringing in a lot of different gangs that people have been waring with for years is really kind of dangerous… but we tried to get the people who want to be here from different gangs, and it’s beautiful.
29-year-old Eric Holder Jr was accused of Hussle’s murder and arrested on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty and had his bail set at $5 million.
Hopefully the peace among the LA gangs will last for some time.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.