One of the oldest Latino gangs, which now considers itself a social movement,is lending a hand to the relief effort in Ecuador. In the neighborhood of Turubamba Bajo,
the Latin Kings have been collecting donations in their local church for victims
of Ecuador’s earthquake. They have spent 12 hour-days organizing food, water,
medicines and clothing to send to the country’s most devastated coastal cities.
Largely stigmatized in Ecuador as criminals, the group actually works on
a variety of social initiatives, including youth development, microfinancing projects,
and community education.The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, or the Latin Kings,
is the oldest and largest Latino gang in the United States. They developed an international
presence in Latin American countries, such as Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Mexico.
In 2007, Ecuador President Rafael Correa legalized the group and publicly recognized
their community work. They now work in collaboration with the government various
social projects. Still, they receive constant discrimination.
