LATIN KINGS:A STREET GANG STORY

The Latin Kings are New York’s largest, most dangerous street gang. For decades they were synonymous with drugs, guns and murder.When the homicidal King Blood went to prison for multiple murders, Antonio Fernandez (King Tone) took control of the Latin Kings. King Tone vowed to lead the Kings away from crime. He urged kids to stay in school, to put down their weapons, and to celebrate their Latino heritage in a positive way. In many poor neighborhoods, King Tone was hailed as a working class hero.The Kings grew to over 6,000 members. Tone led street demonstrations for better schools. He organized protests against police brutality. Every week the media carried another story about this new type of kinder, gentler gang leader. “He could have changed New York City”, said the District Attorney.“He wanted to be the Puerto Rican Martin Luther King”.