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Latin Kings
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According to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, the Latin Kings are one of three gangs -- along with La Familia and the Neta -- that comprise nearly half of the 1,874 prisoners that belong to "threat groups." The Kings have members in every Massachusetts prison, and Karangekis quotes a gang member as telling an informant that the Nation is "doing well in jail but having problems on the street."
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The history of the Latin Kings is one of the untold stories of Chicago's gangland. Latino gangs have played a major role in the history of both Puerto Rican and Mexican history in Chicago.
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The typical street chapter of the Latin Kings has the following organizational arrangement from top down: Inca, Cacique, Enforcers, Treasurer, Investigator, Secretary, Cleaners, Throwers, and the basic rank and file member. There may be a female associated group, called the Latin Queens, but must be attached to a male driven chapter, they do not exist on their own as independent operators. There may ... be "pee wee" members, but they are not privy to the secret operations of the chapter of the gang and are not normally allowed to attend its weekly meetings. This has very important implications for those who consider themselves "experts on the Latin Kings". This warrants separate commentary below.
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After dozens of their leaders were convicted of murder last fall, the Latin Kings have a new suprema. Can a born-again ex-crack addict who preaches peace rule the city's most flagrantly violent street gang?
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In terms of identification, the Latin Kings tend to use 5-pointed crowns. To the older member, the 5-points represent love, respect, sacrifice, honor and obedience. Their graffiti may have a picture of a crown accompanied by the initials "LK" and often will have some sort of inflammatory symbolism aimed at an opposing gang. A lion or a lion wearing a crown with a variety of inscriptions may ... be seen. Members identify with the colors yellow or gold.
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The Nation's story begins in Chicago in the 1940s when the Latin Kings formed as a Latino self-defence group. Like the Black Panthers, the Young Lords and so many other groups that struggle for political empowerment, the Latin Kings were broken as a movement. They lost touch with their roots and grew into one of the largest and most infamous criminal gangs in America.
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Latin Kings