-
Conlusion of Spanish-American War
After winning the war, Puerto Rico became territory of the US. -
Pre-Kings
During the 1940s, The Latin Kings were formed under a different name. -
Latin Kings Formed
With the aim of protecting Puerto Rican immigrants from racial violence and discrimination, the Latin King Gang was officially formed. -
Albizu Campos
Leader of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party (PNP), Albizu Campos led a multitude of protests for Puerto Rico's independence but gets sentenced to 80 years in prison. -
Young Lords Are Born
Jose "Cha Cha" Jimenez establishes the Young Lord gang at Lincoln Park. -
Downturn
Both gangs succumbed to criminal activities during the 1960s. Selling drugs, weapons, theft, etc. -
Jimenez Imprisoned
Jimenez got arrested and sent to jail on a 60-day sentence where he was exposed to activist's work from MLK, Malcolm X, and Albizu Campos. After his release, he turned the Young Lord Gang (YLO) into the Young Lord's Organization, an activist group. -
YLO New York Chapter
Jose Martinez got permission to create a YLO Chapter in New York City. -
Case of Manuel Ramos
In May, Manuel Ramos, a YLO member, was killed by an off-duty police officer, James Lamb. In response, 4 other YLO members attacked Lamb before the on-duty officers arrived. The members were put on trial while Lamb received a slap on the wrist, claiming he attacked out of self-defense upon being threatened by a gun that wasn't found. -
The Garbage Offensive
In July, the YLO were retaliating for poor sanitation services in East Harlem (low-income areas in general). When not given the tools, they forcibly took them (brooms) and cleaned up the neighborhood for a week. -
Gentrification
Later that year into the next, Lincoln Park faced gentrification attempts, which fueled their cause. -
Period: to
Protests/Sit-ins
From July to June, Chicago YLO holds protests and sit-ins to achieve better health care, education, and resources for middle- and low-income families. -
RICO Act Established
Sought to strengthen the legal tools in evidence gathering by establishing new penal prohibitions and providing enhanced sanctions and new remedies for dealing with the unlawful activities of those engaged in organized crime. -
Period: to
Latin King's Unite
While still deep in the criminal world, the Latin Kings were divided against each other until The Superior, King Gino, united the gangs and cliques. -
Mariel Boatlift of 1980
The Castro regime announces that all Cubans wishing to emigrate to the U.S. are free to board boats at the port of Mariel west of Havana, launching the Mariel Boatlift. The first of 125,000 Cuban refugees from Mariel reached Florida the next day. -
Period: to
Luis Felipe Joins The Latin Kings
He ends up in Chicago and finds community through the Latin Kings of Chicago. -
NYC Latin Kings Formed
Felipe gets caught and tosses around into Collins Correctional Facility, where he preaches the Latin King's Manifesto (5 Priniciples). The New York Latin Kings faction is formed under the rule of King Blood (Felipe). -
Luis Felipe Arrested
Felipe was charged with murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder. Latin Kings were charged under the Rico Act (1970). -
King Tone: Era of Change
King Tone (Antonio Fernandez) took over the NYC Latin Kings to reform them into an activist group like the Young Lord’s Organization and Black Panther Party. -
Felipe Convicted
Felipe got sentenced to life with an additional 45 years in solitary confinement. A total of 145 years. -
Struggle for Reform
Since then, Antonio Fernandez has faced many accusations and false charges in pursuit of reforming the Latin Kings. He has published works about his experiences and participated in documentaries, focusing on Latin King history.