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| Gangster Disciples | |
| In | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Founded by | David Barksdale and Larry Hoover1 |
| Years active | late 1960s–present |
| Territory | Nationwide |
| Ethnicity | Mostly African American |
| Membership | Over 60,000 (in Chicago) |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, murder |
| Allies | Folk Nation, Crips2 |
| Rivals | Latin Kings , Black P. Stones3, La Raza4 Black Disciples1, Bloods, People Nation, Vice Lords, Mexican Mafia, United Blood Nation, MS-13 |
The Black Gangster Disciple Nation was formed on the South-side of Chicago in the late 1960s, by David Barksdale, leader of the Gonzanto Disciples, and Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Disciples. The two groups united to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN).1
The gang has made several attempts to legitimize their image. Some members dropped the "B" and began to call themselves GDs or Gangster Disciples. In the 1990s the Gangster Disciples entered into politics through the formation of the "Growth and Development" movement.1But outside of Chicago some gangs will still go by the old name of BGD.2
Contents |
1990–early 2000s
During the 90s the Gangster Disciples began to to move out to more places such as Milwaukee and New York; in the process, they began to form an alliance with the crips because around the same time the Vice Lords and the Black P Stones began to become allies with the Bloods. as a result some Crips sets have claims to the Folk Nation such as the sets in Salt Lake City. While that was going on back in Chicago the GDs began to get into bigger heat as the amount of renegade/outlaw gangster disciples sets began to grow. Examples or the sets are the Boss City Pimps and the OGD's or Outlaw Gangster Disciples. These sets exist because of drug conflicts between other folk gangs and because the folks alliance is very fractured. Other folk gangs such as the Satan Disciples and Maniac Latin Disciples have the same problems with its sets.
Current
Currently, the Gangster Disciples are saidwho? to be one of the biggest Gangs in the United states; somewho? have estimated them to be the biggest. While this is disputed, the Gangster Disciples are definitely one of the biggest gangs to have originated in Chicago and are active in 30+ states.
Symbols, signs and emblems
Gangster Disciples follow a strict code and use symbols and hand signs to communicate alliances and rivalries.
- Six pointed star, similar to the Star of David A reference and homage to David Barksdale formed using fingers on both hands
- Heart with six wings
- Shepard's cane inverted (to show disrespect for Vice Lords)
- A three pointed pitch fork aiming upwards
- An inverted pyramid (Peoples Nation symbol when not inverted)
Any of these can be incorporated into drawings, onto notes, hand signals, into a private alphabet, or displayed in various forms on clothing and private or public property5
Gangster Disciples have been documented in the US military, found in both US and overseas bases.6 Graffiti characteristic of the Gangster Disciples has been reportedly seen in U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. 7
References
- ^ a b c d [1]
- ^ a b Black Gangster Disciples
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ People and Folk Nation Sets (continued) - Gang and Security Threat Group Awareness
- ^ "Gangs Increasing in Military, FBI Says". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (30 June 2008).
- ^ "Exclusive: Gangs Spreading In The Military". CBS News (28 July 2007).
External links
- FBI Freedom of Information/Privacy Act gang profile
- Gangs Using Military For Training, Experts Say. From Army.com
- GANG THREAT ANALYSIS: The Black Disciples
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 9 January 2009, at 00:04.
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