People Nation
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Territory | Chicago |
| Ethnicity | African American, Hispanic, and White |
| Membership | 40,000+ |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, auto theft, robbery, money laundering and murder |
| Allies | 100+ Individual Chicago Street Gangs |
| Rivals | American Mafia, Folk Nation, |
People Nation is an alliance of street gangs generally associated with the Chicago area.[1] They are rivals to the Folk Nation alliance of gangs.
Formation
The People Nation was formed in reaction to the creation of the Folk Nation alliance of gangs. In 1978, the El Rukns (now Black P. Stones), Vice Lords and Latin Kings formed an alliance system of their own, and titled it the "People".
Jeff Fort of El Rukns, Bobby Gore of the Vice Lords, and Gustavo Colon of the Latin Kings were instrumental in the forming of this alliance. Among initial members to the People were the Mickey Cobras (then named the Cobra Stones), Latin Counts, Bishops, Insane Unknowns, Spanish Lords, soon after the Gaylords and the South Side Popes.
Major component gangs
Some People Nation gangs are:
- Vice Lords
- Black P. Stones
- Latin Kings
- Gaylords
- South Side Popes
- Mickey Cobras
- Four Corner Hustlers
- Almighty Saints
Symbolism
Gangs demonstrate their particular alignment by "representing" through symbols, colors, graffiti, hand signs, and words. Representing also encompasses physical orientation to the left side of the body. The People Nation Gangs wear all identifiers to the left. An earring in the left, a left pants leg rolled up, and a cap tilted to the left may all indicate affiliation to the alliance.[2]
The People Nation's hand sign is thrown to the left shoulder. The gang members fold their arms in a manner that is pointed to the left. The People Nation alliance in most instances uses a five-pointed star in their gang graffiti.[3][4]
The five-pointed star has its origins with the Black Stone Rangers/Black P. Stone Ranger Nation, one of the larger street gangs. The alliance's term "high five, six must die" is in reference to the five-pointed star versus the six-pointed star of their rivals in the Folk Nation alliance. Commonly used by the People Nation alliance are drawings of pitchforks pointed down in disrespect to the Folk Nation alliance.[1]
Certain terms are used by the People Nation alliance, such as "all is well" when greeting each other. The five-pointed star is not the only symbol used by the People Nation. Others include a 3D pyramid, a five-pointed crown, a die with its front-side showing five dots, a crescent moon with its concave side facing to the right and sometimes with a small five-pointed star to the right of that moon symbol.[3][4]
See also
-
Gangs portal
References
- 1 2 "Street Gang Dynamics". Gangwar.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ "McLean County Sheriff - Gang Intelligence Unit". Mcleancountyil.gov. 1996-10-01. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- 1 2 Florida Department of Corrections. "People and Folk Nation Sets - Gang and Security Threat Group Awareness". Dc.state.fl.us. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- 1 2 Identifying Gang Members Archived December 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.