Contact: Joe Ortiz, 760-424-9369

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- In an effort to halt the increase in violence and drug abuse by inner-city youth, former gang members and ex-addicts from throughout the nation will conclude a week-long anti-gang, anti-drug world conference with a march against violence in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, August 4, 2007.

The march is being led by Victory Outreach International, a forty-year old anti-gang, anti-drug Christian organization, founded by ex-drug addict Sonny Arguinzoni. Approximately ten thousand of the organization's members will begin the three-mile march at 9:00 a.m. from the Los Angeles Convention Center to the steps of Los Angeles City Hall. The march will end at the city hall's South Lawn where a massive rally will begin at 11:30 a.m., featuring speeches by former gang members, clergy and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Our goal is to let young people in America who are into drug abuse and gang violence that there is a way out of that lifestyle, and to do it now before they cause themselves, friends and their community great harm," said Arguinzoni.

The organization will also culminate its anti-drug, anti-gang world conference by celebrating its 40th anniversary with a banquet at the Los Angeles Convention Center that same evening. Arguinzoni said that many local and state elected officials have been invited to participate at the rally and the banquet.

Former gang members will be available for interviews in both Spanish and English. Please contact the speaker coordinator, Philip LaCrue, at (626) 482-8894. History of the organization is available at its web site www.victoryoutreach.org