A predominantly Latino street organization formally organized in the year 1963 in the Northwest Side of
Chicago, Illinois. Its original name was the Latin Kings Organization. Their colors are Black and Gold, with many members, primarily in the east coast states of the U.S., sporting black and gold beaded necklaces to identify themselves and as a "sacred" article of clothing. The original purpose of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) was to provide brotherhood and protection for its membership and community during the turbulent times of the Civil Rights Era and frequent segregation of neighborhoods created by
race and language barriers in
Chicago. During these times, the Latin Kings fought against other ethnic gangs and clubs and even stood up to the
Chicago Police. One such incident of police brutality against a member of the ALKQN triggered the Division Street Riots in 1966 when a member was
shot in the leg after being chased by the
police the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Humboldt Park. Upon the political transformation and organizing of other clubs and organizations in the late 60s and early 70s, the ALKQN created its own "King Manifesto" to spark social, political, and spiritual consciousness within its membership. However, due to the growing violence between rival street clubs, the heavier influx and sale of illegal
drugs, and the revolving
door in which its members were in and out of jail, criminality began to expand within the ranks of the ALKQN by the mid 70s. It is also at this time when members began to start chapters outside of
Chicago, Illinois, such as
Wisconsin, New Jersey, and New York. While there are many in the ALKQN who live a "gangbanger" lifestyle, the ALKQN's Manifesto acknowledges that this is a stepping
stone into becoming a socially responsible leader bred through
life's hardships, perserverance, and education. This broad acceptance and belief system has brought both negative and positive attention to the ALKQN, where often they are seen simply as an organized criminal
gang, and at times, a socially and politically conscious fraternal organization.
