OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two Omaha men who were formerly rival gang members have joined together to show their commitment against violence at a local Black Lives Matter protest.
At the protest Friday, Travis Bennett, a former Bloods gang member, gripped a red bandanna, the Omaha World-Herald (http://bit.ly/29NrVyk ) reported. Markail Channel, a former Crips gang member, held the blue bandanna. The men tied the garments together as a sign of harmony.
"The main message we're trying to send out is peace," Channel said. "Imagine what we can accomplish as one."
Bennett and Channel were on the brink of fighting five years ago when their Millard South High School principal made them resolve their conflict through dialogue. The men now call themselves brothers.
Multiple photos of the men emerged on social media, two of which have been liked or shared tens of thousands of times.
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"We did not think we were going to get so much love like that," Bennett, said of the photos. "We're tired of all the violence. There's two things that come with that (gang) lifestyle: prison or the grave."
Omaha Police Lt. Ken Kanger of the department's gang unit also took a photo with the men.
"The biggest thing out of that protest was solidarity, and to address all levels of violence," Kanger said.
Kanger said he's willing to talk to any gang member who wants advice, help or support. The department also employs two gang specialists if people feel more comfortable talking to them instead of an officer. He said Bennett and Channel can help the cause, too.
"On the streets they can convince other individuals to communicate with me and the Police Department to eradicate some of the violence," Kanger said. "This is more than just a picture, this is something that really needs to be considered in the community to make a commitment against violence."
