Latin Eagles
The Almighty Latin Eagles Nation (ALEN) originated in the area of Halsted and Addison in Chicago in the 1960s. Originally meant to be a Latino political organization, by the 1970s it had transformed into a criminal street gang.
Identification
Members of the Latin Eagles Nation identify themselves with the colors grey and black. They also use the symbols such as an eagle head or an eagle in flight. They also use the symbols for and are associated with the Folk Nation.
History
In 1960 two Latin American immigrants, "Pops" and "Cha-cha Jimenez" started a community organization in Chicago's north-west side for Hispanics who wanted to fight against "a corrupt system, racism, and segregation". By the mid 60’s, this group eventually became the Latin Eagles.
The Latin Eagles and Harrison Gents fought for control of Lakeview High School at this time, ending in the murder of a Gent leader in 1966 and the Eagles eventually taking control of the school and neighborhood. In 1968 the Gents take revenge and beat a Latin Eagle to death named Hipólito Vega, who becomes a martyr.
Disputes over Northside turf makes the Latin Eagles and Latin Kings mortal enemies.
The Eagles joined the Folks alliance of gangs in 1978. A war involving the Latin Eagles and the Gangster Disciples started in the summer of 1995.[1]
By the end of the 1990’s, The Almighty Latin Eagles formed an alliance with the Almighty Imperial Gangsters and would go to war the Insane and Maniac familias consisting of Latin Folks.