HISTORY
The Latin Kings are the oldest and largest Hispanic gang in
Chicago. In the mid 1970s, this gang originated in two Hispanic
communities within Chicago: South Chicago and the Humboldt
Park area. Later, additional factions of this gang developed
in almost every Hispanic community in Chicago. Originally,
this gang developed as a traditional street gang. Their main
desire was to protect their neighborhood or turf. Occasionally,
they would do battle with rival street gangs from other neighborhoods.
During these battles, the Latin Kings developed a reputation
as a very violent street gang. This reputation is still with
them today.
The Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN) started
in the New York City prison system at Rikers Island. They
have grown from a prison gang into a street gang in recent
years. Presently, the Latin Kings are one of the fastest growing
street gangs in New York City; they actively recruit young
people from the age of 8 and up. Frequently, the recruitment
takes place within schools and is directed to both males and
females. Factions of this gang have spread throughout New
York City correctional facilities and are now a strong gang
within all five boroughs.
The Latin King nation (LKN, ALKN, ALKQN)
on the East Coast has affiliations with Latin King members
in Chicago, and ALKN members use the terms ALKN and LK interchangeably.
The Kings have been found to have factions
in cities in Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Indiana, and Florida. ALKN has a population base of
mostly Hispanic members. There has a been a movement by the
Latin Kings nationally to recruit white youths, and the formation
of a predominantly white faction of the LK on the southwest
side of Chicago is a good example of this trend.
STREET CULTURE
Most of the Latin Kings are proud of their gang affiliation
and will display this pride by wearing a Latin King tattoo
or other gang identifier. The main identifying paraphernalia
of the Latin Kings is the color of their clothing, black and
gold. Additionally, they may wear beads which are black and
gold; the beads, worn around the neck, may be less frequently
observed than the actual wearing of black and gold clothing.
The colors, black and gold, have long been associated with
this gang. The ALKN uses black and gold in graffiti. They
wear the colors in their clothing, and the colors are represented
at the gang's funerals. As law enforcement has become more
adept at identification of ALKN members, the ALKN has resorted
to other forms of identification. Tattoos and a medallion,
known as "la Virgin," worn inside the clothing,
have become alternate forms of identification. Kings use hand
signs and unique jargon to communicate, as well.
The logo or emblem of the Latin Kings, frequently
observed in graffiti, can be readily observed on school books
and written on clothing. ALKN graffiti typically includes
a 3- or 5-point crown with two pitchforks (crossed, with the
tines pointed down). Properly painted, the emblem usually
contains the letter "L" on the left side of the
crown, and the letter "K" on the right side of the
crown. The graffiti may also include a combination of words
written around the emblem, most frequently "amor de rey,"
(love to the king) or the letters ADR. Tattoos typically include
a 3- or 5-pointed crown, five dots, five-pointed star, cross,
or the head of a king wearing a crown (referred to as "The
Master"). Most Mexican factions of the Kings will utilize
a five-pointed crown, while most Puerto Rican factions of
the gang use a 3-pointed crown.
The street culture of this gang, like many
other gangs which originated in Chicago, blends criminal activity
with religious mysticism. The ALKN commonly uses a fist over
the heart to represent: "I will die for you, for you
are flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood, son of my mother
who is the universal nature and follower of Yahve, who is
the Almighty King of Kings." This gesture also represents
love, strength and sacrifice. A common prayer utilized by
the ALKN states:
Almighty Father, King of Kings, hear
us as we come before you, one body, mind, and soul, true wisdom,
knowledge and understanding. Give us strong brown wisdom,
for we realize you are the best and wisest of all seeing eyes.
The Kings refer to female members as "Queens."
When a Latin King blends his life with a particular woman,
regardless of her distant association with the Kings Nation,
she becomes a Queen by law. When a Latin King and Queen blend
their lives together, and bring a child into the world, the
child automatically becomes a prince or princess of the ALKN.
The ALKN operate using a constitution. The
Nation Constitution establishes the 10 Commandments for ALKN
members, the Royalties of the ALKN, and the guidelines for
establishing a chapter of the gang. The leadership at the
Nation's top level utilize titles, with the High Holy Inca
in the primary leadership role. The second in command is known
as the Supreme Caciqua, and the third in command is called
the Royal Crown. The chain of command for the chapter level
is also very explicit. Every chapter refers to their primary
leader as the Crown, and the second in command is also called
a Crown. Below the Crowns are the warlord and the enforcer
(though in some chapters these roles are combined). Most chapter
constitutions also provide for a treasurer, secretary and
ambassador. The Nation Constitution gives each chapter the
right to establish Senior, Junior, Little Midget and Pee Wee
Latin Kings groups within the chapter, as well as a Latin
Queen group. As a general rule, the Latin Kings use the name
"Kings" and prefix it with the street name of their
location to form their faction's name, as in Brentwood Latin
Kings.
Violent behavior is the hallmark of the Latin
Kings; they are also involved in the sale of drugs, weapons
trafficking, and providing protection. As a result of the
many ALKN gang leaders who have been incarcerated, the leadership
of this gang still has the ability to orchestrate rules and
policies from within the prison system. Because the Kings
are one of the largest and most violent Hispanic street gangs,
they are constantly being challenged by other street gangs.
This rivalry manifests itself in street violence, with the
Kings playing roles as both victims and perpetrators. Payback
and anniversary dates of the deaths of gang members provide
year-round opportunities for ALKN members to engage in violent
acts.
Copyright © 2000 Wes Daily. All
Rights Reserved.
