Black Disciples
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2009) |
| Founded by | King Shorty |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Years active | 1974-present |
| Territory | Nationwide |
| Ethnicity | African American[1] |
| Membership | 26,000+ [citation needed] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, murder |
| Allies | Black Guerrilla Family, Ganster Disciples [2], Folk Nation |
The Black Disciples (often abbreviated as BDN or BDN III) is a large African American street gang based in Chicago, Illinois. The gang is considered extremely violent and is known to engage in drug trafficking and distribution, in addition to other criminal activities. The street gang is estimated to have in excess of 24,000 members. [citation needed]
Gang symbols and rivals
The gang's symbols include the roman numeral three (III), representing 'mind, body and soul', and is usually accompanied with the abbreviation BDN (Black Disciple Nation). Its colors are blue, red and black. The Black Disciples are part of the Folks alliance of street gangs but are known to engage in violence with other Folks gangs such as the Gangster Disciples. The BDs also have a long standing rivalry with the Black P. Stones.
History and Organizational Structure
The "Gangster Disciples",and "Black Disciples",became a separate gang through splintering from the original "Black Gangster Disciples". It all began after the death of "David Barksdale/King David" in 1974 and a new gang was created, called the "Black Gangster Disciple Nation" (B.G.D.N). In the mid-1980s, the groups splintered off from the "Black Gangster Disciples",all having their origins from the original "Devil's Disciples" street gang from the 1960s. In the mid-1990s, the "Black Disciples" became known as the gang to which "Robert "Yummy" Sandifer" belonged, and was subsequently executed by the "Gangster Disciples".
As of 2004 it was estimated that there may be as many as 300 factions of the "Black Disciples" throughout the Chicago area. Each group typically has 30 to 40 members, and is identical in the format of its organizational structure. In each set the lowest ranking members are "soldiers" or "representatives". The permanent leadership ranks include: Minister, Assistant Co-Minister, and the Demetrius. One rank above the ordinary members is the First Demetrius. One rank above the First Demetrius is the Assistant Co-Minister. Above this in each set is the Minister. The last known living top boss of the gang is King Shorty (Jerome Freeman), also known as the "crowned king". George Knox Ph.D), "Gang Treat Analysis,"The Black Disciples", 2004,National Gang Crime Research Center</ref>, He has since stepped down. [4] They also incorporate bylaws, chapter charters, and have broken into legal business. They are now capable of operating their organization which reaches from the street corners all the way to several corporate board rooms.
Around the year 2000 Jerome Freeman's second in command, Marvell Thompson (aka. King Vel) broke away several south side "Black Disciples",factions and formed the "Blue Fin Black Disciples". In a rmation of the "Blue Fin's" is their poor relations with other (Folk Nation's) gangs.
While (King Vel) is technically the overall leader of the "Black Disciples",because of Freeman's retirement, traditional Folk Nation "Black Disciples" don't consider him a leader and do not welcome him in traditional "Black Disciples" strongholds.
Pictures
Recent news
On February 27, 2006, 43 members of the Black Disciples street gang charged with conspiracy were convicted in federal court. Three members of the gang remain fugitives.[5]
Notes
- ^ [1]
- ^ Black Gangster Nation a.k.a New Breeds, Satan Disciples, Crypts, and Four Corner Hustlers[2]
- ^ a b [3] Cite error: The named reference "chicagogangs.org" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ http://www.ngcrc.com/bdprofile.html
- ^ Chicago Sun Times, Last Black Disciples convicted in drug case, February 28, 2006