Gangster Disciples

The Gangster Disciples is a gang which was formed on the South-side of Chicago in the late 1960s, by Larry Hoover, leader of the High Supreme Gangsters, and David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples. The two groups united to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN).

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 in the Chicago tradition of Black Panthers, Blackstone Rangers, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, Black Disciples and Young Lords through the formation of the "Growth and Development" movement. Outside of Chicago some gangs will still go by the old name of BGD.^[2]

Gangster Disciples have been documented in the U.S. military, found in both U.S. and overseas bases.^[3] Graffiti characteristic of the Gangster Disciples has been reportedly seen in U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gangster Disciples in the military

On July 3, 2005, gang members from Gangster Disciples killed Sergeant Juwan Johnson of the U.S. Army in the small town of Hohenecken near Ramstein, Germany. Prosecutors accused Airman Rico Williams of throwing the first punch in a six-minute beating that Sergeant Johnson had to endure to join the gang. When Sergeant Johnson asked one of his fellow gang members to take him to the hospital, Williams was then consulted and ordered that gang member to not take him there. Sergeant Johnson later died from multiple blunt-force trauma. According to the government's investigations, Airman Rico Williams was the leader of the gang. Airman Rico Williams was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while other servicemen faced other sentences ranging from 2 to 12 years in prison. Some of charges against the servicemen were; Airman Rico Williams charged of second degree murder, and witness tampering, Airman Jerome Jones charged with conspiracy to commit assault, gang participation, and other charges, Airman Nicholas Sims and Army Sergeant Rodney Howell were charged with involuntary manslaughter, Private Terrance Norman was charged with voluntary manslaughter.^[4][5][6]

Colors and apparel

Gangster Disciples "represent" with the colors blue and black. Gang members are known to wear Georgetown Hoyas or Duke Blue Devils clothing. Sometimes they will wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams' clothing from their original city though they do not always match colors.

Six pointed star

The predominant symbol this criminal gang makes use of is the six-pointed Star of David (✡). The symbol pays homage to founder David Barksdale.

References

External links

• FBI file on the Gangster Disciples
• Gang Threat Analysis: The Black Disciples
• National Drug Intelligence Center document on the Vice Lords