Former Los Angeles gang leaders unite to stop the violence they were once a part of. We capture the summer of 2013 as these men strive to break the cycle of retaliation killing and rebuild a sense of hope in their communities.

In Los Angeles, the summer is a time of increased violence. Tensions rise in the hot summer heat, and gang rivalries inevitably erupt. But in recent years, a small group of ex-gang members have come together on a mission. Former enemies who seek to rebuild the communities that they once helped to destroy. Along the way, these men have earned a "license to operate" based on their influence in their respective gangs. Their "LTO" status empowers them to negotiate on behalf of the community, resolving conflicts, and limiting retaliation killings.—Anonymous