Claim: The Mexican Mafia is retaliating for a drug theft by killing 400 to 1,000 black men wearing white
UNDETERMINED
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2005]
You guys, be careful, we have heard so much in the news and those of you that were there Bishop talked about this at the second service we had last week and we know he is on the LAPD. Pass this on to anyone that you know that has
Unfortunately, the word on the street (which has been confirmed by a probation officer) is that the
Origins: This heads-up about potential danger to those in the
to wearing white
Yet while the freeway shootings are likely contributing to the spread of this rumor, there appears to be more at work than just a generalized feeling of anxiety finding voice through a wild tale about potential violence visited upon those who fatally make the mistake of wearing the wrong color shirt in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Rumors of possible racial unrest tied to Cinco de Mayo have been surfacing in the
Officials at the LAUSD have been in early May 2005 hearing the rumors of possible violence between black and Latino students but can find nothing to give them credence. "No one has an idea where any of this started," said LAUSD Police Chief Alan Kerstein. "Parents can be sure that there is no substance anyone can find." The
The rumors come after a series of racial brawls at several high schools across Southern California, including two outbreaks of Latino-versus-black violence at Jefferson High School in South
As to the content of the e-mailed rumor itself and the gangs it mentions, says the FBI about the Mexican Mafia (aka
The Mexican Mafia, also known as the New Family, is a militant revolutionary group in the California Prison System. They are known to use violent and disruptive attacks against the California Department of Correction Authority. They engage in rebellion, insurrection and destruction of Prison property. This group is made up of primarily Mexican-American convicts from the barrios of East
The Rolling 60's are a division of the Crips, a primarily black gang that originated in
Yet racial unrest and Cinco de Mayo-related rumors aside, the fears that bloodthirsty LA gang members are randomly targeting white-clad non-gang members appears baseless. Nothing has surfaced in the news to suggest that members of the
Also, given that the Crips' signature color is blue (that of their avowed enemies, The Bloods, is red), it would not make sense that a retribution aimed at one of its chapters would target not only
Barbara "color me skeptical" Mikkelson
Last updated: 12 July 2011
![]() | Sources: |
Allen, Brian. "Rolling 60's Trafficking Drugs Into Las Vegas." 8 Eyewitness News [KLAS-TV]. 4 February 2005. Lait, Matt and Jennifer Oldham. "Driver Shot on 405 in Valley." Los Angeles Times. 2 May 2005 (p. B1). Shields, Nicholas. "L.A. Schools Increase Patrols After Rumors." Los Angeles Times. 5 May 2005. KABC-TV Los Angeles. "Officials Reassure Parents: Safe to Send Kids to LAUSD Schools." 5 May 2005.