The Norteños (Spanish for "northerners"), also called Nuestra Familia (Our Family), are a coalition of Hispanic gangs in North America, based in northern California. A member of these gangs is a norteño (male), norteña (female), or simply "northerner"; based on Spanish usage, these names are usually not capitalized when referring to individual members. Mexican Americans who are not gang members, but feel a strong cultural affiliation with others in northern California, may also call themselves norteños or norteñas. Hispanic, as used in the United States, is one of several terms used to categorize native and naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents and temporary immigrants, whose background hail either from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America or the original settlers of the traditionally Spanish-held Southwestern United... A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is the third largest continent in area and in population after Eurasia and Africa. ... Northern California (sometimes NorCal or NoCal) refers to the northern portion of the U.S. state of California, roughly covering all of those counties except for the ten counties which make up Southern California. ... The ethnonym Mexican-American describes United States citizens of Mexican ancestry (14 million in 2003) and Mexican citizens who reside in the US (10 million in 2003). ... Northern California (sometimes NorCal or NoCal) refers to the northern portion of the U.S. state of California, roughly covering all of those counties except for the ten counties which make up Southern California. ...

As with all prison gangs we may not have the full inside information. Currently (may 2005) the names are: Nortenos- those hispanics who are full members of the gang. Northerners- hispanics who live or reside in Norther California North- persons of other races who assist or are called upon for help.

The dividing line between Norteno and Surenos has been traditionally Bakersfield, California. However with most of the Norteno "generals" in Federal custody the Surenos are moving thier claim north.

History

In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Norteños (north) and Sureños (south), according to the locations of their home towns; the north-south dividing line was near Bakersfield. Part of the motivation for the split was the desire of the Norteños to be independent of "La Eme", a.k.a. the Mexican Mafia. "La Eme" is the biggest, strongest, most notorious prison gang in the west coast and surrounding states, which tends to treat the Chicano inmates from the north worse than those closer to the United States-Mexico border. Norteños continue to have violent territorial rivalries with Chicano gangs, while the Sureños are affiliated with La Eme. Events and trends The 1960s was a turbulent decade of change around the world. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... The Sureños, or Sur for short, are a Hispanic street gang with origins in Southern California, connected with the Mexican Mafia prison organization. ... City nickname:Calfornias Country Music Capital County Kern County, California Area  - Total  - Water 296. ... Background The Mexican Mafia is the biggest most feared prison gang formed in the 1950s by Hispanic street gang members incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution, located in Tracy, California, USA. The founding members formed the organization to protect Hispanics from other such gangs within Californias jails and prisons. ... A Chicano is a person of no descent born in the United States. ... A Chicano is a person of no descent born in the United States. ...

The group developed a formal structure in 1968, with a written constitution, under the leadership of Folsom State Prison inmate Robert Rios "Babo" Sosa. Its current hierarchy is based in Pelican Bay State Prison. It has developed offshoots throughout the United States and in Europe. 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... East gate, Folsom State Prison, California Folsom State Prison (FSP), also known as Folsom State Prison, Represa is one of 33 prison facilities operated by the California Department of Corrections (CDC). ... A hierarchy (in Greek hieros, sacred, and arkho, rule) is a system of ranking and organizing things. ... Pelican Bay State Prison is a California State Prison located in the northwestern part of the state near Crescent City, California on 275 acres (1. ... World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ...

As with many other gangs, Norteños have been involved in trafficking of drugs and contraband, and armed conflict with other gangs and with police. According to police investigators, a requirement for full membership in Nuestra Familia is committing at least one murder for the gang. Many drugs are provided in tablet form. ... Contraband consists of items of which possession may be illegal, depending on the variety and the country or the age or sex of the possessor. ... A detective is an officer of the police who performs criminal or administrative investigations, in some police departments, the lowest rank among such investigators (above the lowest rank of officers and below sergeants), a civilian licensed to investigate information not readily available in public records (a private investigator, also called...

Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate the group, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indicted on racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay. Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. The largest of the federal investigations, Operation Black Widow, caused controversy when it became public that some gang members were serving as FBI informants while still continuing to organize violent crimes. Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but keeping the same mind-set. ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In the common law legal system, an indictment is a formal charge of having committed a serious criminal offense. ... RICO or the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is a United States law which provides for extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. ... Capital punishment, also referred to as the death penalty, is the judicially ordered execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crime, often called a capital offense or a capital crime. ... These lollipops, above, were found to contain heroin when inspected by the US Drug Enforcement Administration In jurisdictions where legislation restricts or prohibits the sale of certain popular drugs, it is common for an illegal drugs trade to develop. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a Federal police force which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ...

Symbols and culture

Norteño emblems and clothing are based on the color red; a typical norteño outfit might include red belts, red shoes, and red shoelaces. They also favor brand-name clothing such as Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Ecko, and Nautica, in red, white, and black. The use of red by Norteños and blue by Sureños supposedly derives from the standard-issue bandanas in California prisons, which were only available in those colors. Red is a color at the lowest frequencies of light discernible by the human eye. ... Tommy Hilfiger (born March 24, 1951, Elmira, New York) is a world-famous fashion designer. ...

Their number, sometimes used in tattoos, is 14 (sometimes written as "X4", or in Roman numerals as "XIV"), since N is the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. The corresponding Sureño number is 13. 14 (fourteen) is the natural number following 13 and preceding 15. ... The system of Roman numerals is a numeral system originating in ancient Rome, and was adapted from Etruscan numerals. ... N is the fourteenth letter of the modern Latin alphabet. ... 13 (Thirteen) is the natural number following 12 and preceding 14. ...

Norteños also lay claim to images of Chicano youth culture, such as lowrider cars, and of the Mexican-American labor movement, such as the sombrero, machete, and Huegla bird eagle symbols of the United Farm Workers. At the same time that norteños were first organizing in prisons and calling for liberation from the Mexican mafia, the UFW and its leader César Chávez were folk heroes and symbols of liberation to many Mexican-American youth, including some gang members who had met Chávez when he was imprisoned for his union work. A Chicano is a person of no descent born in the United States. ... 1961 Chevrolet Impala LowRider A low rider is a car or truck which has had its suspension system modified (usually with hydraulic suspension) so that it rides as low to the ground as possible. ... Categories: Stub | Hats ... Machete The machete (International Phonetic Alphabet: ) is a cleaver-like tool that looks like a very large bread knife. ... Genera Aquila Haliaeetus Pithecophaga Circaetus (*) Scientists argue whether Accipitriformes are a separate order, or belong to the Falconiformes. ... The United Farm Workers of America were founded in 1962 by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. ... César Chávez, middle-aged César Estrada Chávez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) founded the National Farm Workers Association that later became the United Farm Workers. ...

Below is a list of rules found by a Deputy Sheriff inside the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, California. This gives some insight into the inner workings of the gang. This entire letter was written on a 2X3 card in "micro-writing" (letters being less than a few millimeters big) This is a trademark of many prison gangs. Alameda County is a suburban county in Californias San Francisco Bay Area. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ...

Spelling errors and grammar are those of the writer.

GREETINGS MI RAZA! THE ENCLOSED H.H.P'S (HOUSEHOLD POLACIES) HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND WILL BE ENFORCED THROUGHOUT "ALL OF SANTA RITA"FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF INSTILLING SELF DISCIPLINE, CONFIDANCE, AND FOREMOST SECURITY WITHIN OUR RANKS..IT IS IMPARITIVE THAT WE ALL AS A CLOSE KNIT RAZA RECOGNISE TO THE FULLEST OUR OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY'S BY UPHOLDING OUR HIGH STANDARDS IN CONDUCTING ONE SELF IN ACCORDANCE TO OUR SET GUILDELINES..AS OF BEING N.S WE WILL ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT THESE POLICIES; NEVERTHELESS NOT FALTERING OUR WILL TO NOTHING LESS WITHIN THESE SET GUIDELINES..UPPON COMPLETION OF READ-ING AND GRASPING THE TRUE MEANING OF SAID POLACIES YOU WILL THEN, AND ONLY THEN BE CLEARED TO FUNCTION ON THE SAME LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE AND AWARENESS AS ALL BROTHERS RESIDEING HERE IN "SANTA RITA"..NOW, FOR SOME ODD REASON OR ANOTHER ONE CAN NOT MEET SAID REQUIREMENTS/GUIDELINES FOR HIS OWN SELFISH REASONS HE WILL REPORT IT TO HIS CHANNEL IMIDIATELY AND THE RIGHT PROCEDURES WILL BE TAKEN TO BETTER HELP FACILITATE HIS NEEDS. - ..."HENCEFORTH".... 1. OUR N. PROGRAM WILL OPEN AT 8:00 AM AND CLOSE AT 10:00PM..DURING THIS TIME YOU WILL BE SUITED AND BOOTED. AWAKE, ~ - ALERT AND AWARE OF YOUR IMIDIATE SURROUNDINGS..IF YOU CATCH YOUR FELLOW N. "SLIPPIN" ASLEAP TAKE THE INITITIVE TO WAKE HIM UP BEFORE HE GETS D.P ...2. ONCE AGAIN ALL MOVEMENTS ARE MANDITORY! NO EXCEPTIONS.(THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS) WE WILL NOT BE CAUGHT SLIPPIN ON ANY LEVELS...3. A N. WILL ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT HIS AUTHORITY IN CHARGE..ON THE SAME TOKEN NO N. WILL FEEL INFIRIOR TO ONE HOLDING RANK OR POSITION. 4.AT NO TIME WILL ANY N. ENDULGE IN ANY HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY, SEX PLAY, HORSE PLAY, SETRIPPIN, INDIVIDUALISM, OR HOMEBOY FAVORITISM. 5. NO RED ON RED ATTACKS/FIGHTING (AMONGST ONE AND OTHER) WILL BE TOLERATED. ALL FUNKING (BARRIO WARFARE) WILL BE LEFT ON THE STREETS. 6. NO DISRESPECTING ANY RAZAS OR K-9 WILL BE TOLERATED FOR IT ONLY JEPORDISES THE CAR AND THE LIVELYHOOD OF OUR PEOPLE..BESIDES WE DONT NEED THE UNWANT-ED AND UNECESSARY HEAT. 7. AT NO TIME WILL THE ABUSEMENT OF ALCOHOL OR ANY HARD DRUG BE TOLERATED. FOR THERE HAVE BE INCIDENTS IN THE PAST THAT WILL NO LONGER BE TOLERATED..WE ARE THE ELIETE AND WILL PRAMOTE PROFESIONAL ISM AND PROPPER CONDUCT AMONGST THE AIMLESS AND MISLEAD..9. HOUSEHOLD TIENDAS ARE ESTABLISHED FOR ALL NEW ARIVALS AND THOSE LESS FORTUNATE IN NEED. IT IS OUR SOLE DUTY TO PROMOTE UNITY AND CARNALISMO AMONGST OUR PEOPLE. THEREFOR CONTRIBUTEING TO THE THE TIENDA IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND HIGHLY APPRECIATED..10. POSTING UP AT SHOWERS FOR YOUR FELLOW N. IS ALSO HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.. 11. A N. WILL DEFEND HIS HOUSEHOLD TO THE FULLEST NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR CONSIQENCES. THIS MEANS STANDING NEXT TO THE CAUSE OR BROTHER IN BATTLE OR STRUGGLE..12. A N. WILL BE HELD IN HIGH ~ REGARD FOR HIS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING..THEREFOR IT IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED AS WELL AS MANDITORY THAT YOU BUST DOWN 4 TIMES A WEEK FOR 1 HOUR A DAY..13. A N. WILL TEACH AND SCHOOL THOSE DESTINED TO THE PINTA..AT NO TIME WILL ANY PORTION OF THESE POLACIES BE MISINTERPRETED ABUSED OR USED FOR PERSONAL GAIN TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN SERIOUS REPROCUSSIONS..14. A N. WILL ESTABLISH A BRANCH IN UNION WITH ALL THESE SET PROCEDURES, MEANING UNDERSTANDING AND ACKNOWLEDGEING SAID PROCEDURES ARE MANDITORY....CON ESO ES TODO C/R

In 1998, norteño-affliated music producers released two gangsta rap CDs, Generations of United Norteños—Till Eternity and Cuete, which were said to have been funded by the gang's top leadership as a recruitment tool ("Cuete" is the nickname of Nuestra Familia leader Gerald Rubalcaba). The lead performer, Sir Dyno, who claimed that he was only culturally a norteño and did not know his employers were literally gangsters, was indicted for conspiracy after the Operation Black Widow investigation. 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Gangsta rap, also known as hardcore hip-hop, was the name given to the subgenre of hip hop which involves a lyrical focus on the lifestyle of street thugs and gangsters. ... Album cover of the currently banned CD. Note that Norteño gang members on the cover photo are wearing T-shirts with their gang color, red. ...

See also

• Generations of United Norteños (CD)
• Sureños

Album cover of the currently banned CD. Note that Norteño gang members on the cover photo are wearing T-shirts with their gang color, red. ... The Sureños, or Sur for short, are a Hispanic street gang with origins in Southern California, connected with the Mexican Mafia prison organization. ...

References

• "Prison gang case puts role of FBI informants under scrutiny" (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/11/29/MNGOM3CNT91.DTL). San Francisco Chronicle, November 29, 2003.
• "Sir Dyno's Deal with the Devil" (http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2003-10-01/feature.html). East Bay Express, October 1, 2003.
• "Federal indictments crack vast prison crime ring" (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/pelican/0421_main.html). Santa Rosa Press Democrat, November 29, 2001.

External links

• "Nuestra Familia" (http://www.elandar.com/online_stories/12_03/story_gangs.html) (El Andar, winter 2003)
• Know Gangs: Nuestra Familia/Norteños (http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/nuestra_familia/nf_001.htm)