La Raza Nation
| Founded | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Territory | Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and some cities in the south |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic(Mexican)[1] |
| Membership | Unknown |
| Rivals | Almighty Saints, Latin souls, People Nation, Satan Disciples, Gangster Disciples[1], Latin Kings, latin counts |
The LRZ gang were founded in 1972. Their colors are green, white, and red (same as the Mexican flag) symbols include Mexican flag, cross, and a six point star. Although, La Raza is affiliated with Folk Nation, La Raza went to war with many Folk Nation gangs such as Ambrose, Gangster Disciples, and other Folks.[1] But the main rivals are local rivals like Party People, Latin Kings, Black Stones, and the Almighty Saints.
Activities outside of the Chicago area
La Raza's activities have not been limited to the Chicago area they originated in. La Raza has been active in New York City. A 1996 police report noted La Raza as the rival of the Gran Familia Mexicana, a federation of Mexican gangs in the NYC area. [2]
Between 2001 and 2003, La Raza involved in a gang war with Vatos Locos. In the end, 12 Vatos Locos members were charged in the conspiracy to kill 4 rival gang leaders, including one leader who was sentenced to 151 years for his part in the plan. [3]
In April 2005, 19 suspected members of La Raza were arrested in the Naples Florida area by federal and local law enforcement. Officials estimated the groups membership at around 100 and noted they'd been in the area since at least 1996. [4] [5]
In July 2005, La Raza was listed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as one of the 54 violent street gangs targeted by ICE in a two week nationwide enforcement action called Operation Community Shield. [6]
Local officers in Gwinnett County, GA have also noted the presence of La Raza members in their jurisdiction. [7] ICE officials have arrested La Raza members in the Atlanta area. [8] [9]
A 2005 report produced by the US Department of Justice noted the presence of La Raza in the western United States, but not a high level of activity. A total of approximately 17 percent of the law enforcement agencies surveyed nationwide reported a presence of La Raza in their jurisdiction. Just over 6 percent of those agencies reported La Raza activity as moderate to high levels. [10]
A 2006 report by the Bureau of Justice Assistance noted the presence of La Raza in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New York and Virginia. [11]
In 2008, La Raza was documented in Waukesha, Wisconsin as being involved in a conflict with another groups called the 38th Street gang. [12] Wisconsin has also documented La Raza involvement in cocaine trafficking in the Sheboygan area. [13]