Gang Violence Rises, Coachella Valley in Fear, Dance Event by The S.O.G. Crew Brings Hope.
For Immediate Release
Anaheim, California–December 14, 2010–After the experience of at least four deaths and many injured persons between Halloween and Thanksgiving due to a recent rise in gang violence and crime, Coachella Valley families see a ray of hope coming from an annual urban dance competition concert called Rain in the Desert.
The event (hosted by gang intervention specialists The S.O.G. Crew and supported through private donors, volunteers, radio and newspapers) was successful in encouraging many affected high school teenagers and families to unite, pray, and communicate with each other. Dance crews and community members both local and afar gathered together at the home of Rock Solid Youth at 87295 Main Street, Thermal, CA, to compete peacefully in BBoy, break dance, Krump, and other popular dance styles.
A recent news report from The Desert Sun describes the rise in gang-related violence as alarming before stating that two costumed men were shot and killed at a Halloween party in Indio on October 31st and a drive-by shooting on November 2nd in Cathedral City left two people dead and four wounded. The dead included a teenage mother, and among the injured was the infant she cradled in her arms.
The recent violence had many families and community members in fear which prompted The S.O.G. Crew and Rock Solid Youth to partner together to host an event that would gather the people into one place–Rain in the Desert.
The 3rd Annual Rain in the Desert (on December 3rd just like the previous two years) was held in a gang affected area where help was needed–Thermal, CA. It drew people of all ages and sent the message of peace through unity.
The event centered on the culture of hip hop and brought out professional Los Angeles graffiti artist Zender1 to do a live graffiti demo. Deejays, hip hop groups, and dancers participated as well. Private donors and members of the Christ Is Salvation Church provided free food.
The highlight of the event–the dance-off competition, was done in peace and fun and featured dance crews from San Bernardino, Indio, and Thermal–cities where gang violence and crime are highest. The S.O.G. Crew provided an encouraging message of uniting in peace against violence to save their communities. The night ended with a responsive call to united prayer. Many families and teens left visibly encouraged.
The S.O.G. Crew (based in Anaheim, California) is a team of gang/violence/drug and suicide intervention specialists that is also an international hip hop group and Christian faith-based ministry. They’ve been working in California and throughout the United States since 1999 in schools, Native American Reservations, California Sheriff’s Department Community Relations events between Bloods and Crips, with ex-Mexican Mafia leader Big D, hosting community events such as Rain in the Desert in the Coachella Valley and Let Your Fire Fall Youth Crusade in Orange County, as well as teaching at several conferences across the U.S.
If you’d like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with The S.O.G.
Crew, please call Lezette Garza at (760) 851-7689 or email Lezette at g.lezette@yahoo.com.
Citation: Matheny, K. (2010, December 8) Law enforcement army sweeps Indio’s gangland The
Desert Sun, pp. 1. Retrieved from
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012080321 on December 12th, 2010.
Last Updated on Monday, 13 December 2010 04:36
Contact:
Lezette Garza
The S.O.G. Crew
Events Coordinator
1691 S. Heritage Cir
Anaheim, California 92804
United States
Telephone 760-851-7689
Email g.lezette@yahoo.com
News release courtesy of http://www.pressreleasedistribution.com