Latin Eagles

The ALEN (Almighty Latin Eagles Nation) originated in the area of Halsted and Addison in Chicago in the 1960. Originally meant to be a Latino political organization, by the 1970s it had transformed into a criminal street gang.

Identification

Members of the Latin Eagles Nation identify themselves with the colours grey and black. They also use the symbols such as an eagle head or an eagle in flight. They also use the symbols for and are associated with the Folk Nation.

History

The Latin Eagles originated in the Wrigleyville community in the vicinity og Addison & Halsted in the late 1960s. The oganization was the culmination of a merger between two neighborhood clubs, the Topcats and the Emerald Knights. After the merger, the Latin Eagles organization emerged. Initially, the Latin Eagles operations were that of Latino political group.In mid 60's they fought alongside Puerto Ricans from Lincoln Park(Halsted and Dickens)against the Aristocrats, who were beating up on Latinos at California Terrace Development,on Halsted near Barry. However, by the mid-to-late 1970s, the Latin Eagles transformed into a street gang. The Latin Eagles initially engaged in small petty crimes such as graffiti and theft. In the mid 1970's, the Latin Eagles joined the United Latino Oraganization (ULO), which was an alliance among Latino street gangs before the Folks and People alliances emerged. The United Latino Organization originally consisted of the Latin Disciples, Spanish Cobras, Imperial Gangsters, and Latin Eagles street gang. These four gangs were the initial Latino Folks gangs on the Northwest sides of Chicago. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Latin Eagles solidified their presence in the Wrigleyville community as well as expanding their operations into the Uptown and Kelvyn Park communities. Upon setting ip operations in the Uptown neighborhoods, the Latin Eagles fought fierce turf wars with the Latin Kings and Vice Lords street gangs. Although the Latin Eagles were well outnumbered, the Latin Eagles were said to have inflicted more damage during the course of the war.

In 1973,"Kooks," "Boscoe" and Jose "Pops" Jimenez,all first cousins of Jose(Cha-Cha)Jimenez of the Young Lords,got the Latin Eagles to work together and together they cleaned up the drug dealing on the corners of Wilton and Grace.This had never been done before in Chicago's history.Its true that the drug dealers were physically forced to move to another corner.Its also true that they never again sold drugs on Wilton and Grace.The Latin Eagles also cleaned up their own graffiti and a beautiful mural of an Eagle and the Puerto Rican flag was put up.

By the late 1980s, many Latin Eagles gang members became incarcerated and or addicted to drugs which caused a significant decline in the gangs operations over the years. In the early 1990s, the original Wrigleyville territory was leased out to members of the Gangster Disciples street gang who now anchor a foothold in the area. The Latin Eagles were forced to abandon their original stronghold due to key member incarcerations, lack of recruitment, and mainly gentrification which was what the Young Lords were trying to unite the community to fight against. Today, the Latin Eagles exercise a discreet presence in the Hermosa and Uptown communities, including recent in-roads into the Rogers Park neighborhoods. During the 1990s, the Latin Eagles street gang were able to setup several satellite chapters throughout various States, including Texas and Florida. The Latin Eagles also have several factions that operate as liaison between the organizations hierarchy. The Latin Eagles principle rivals have consisted of the Latin Kings, Vice Lords, Spanish Gangster Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Maniac Latin Disciples, Spanish Cobras, Familia Stones, and Insane Unknowns street gangs.

Pictures

• Latin Eagles info
• A Latino Resource