Clanton 14

Clanton 14 Street, also known as C14th St, is the one of the oldest Hispanic criminal street gangs in Los Angeles, California. Clanton 14 were some of the first supporters and founders of La Eme. The Clanton 14 does not represent the 14th letter of the alphabet or show allegiance to Nuestra Familia; it represents 14th Place (formerly Clanton Street) in Los Angeles, California where they were created. As Sureños, they are fiercely loyal to the Mexican Mafia which is why they are allowed to keep the 14 as their sign.

History

Clanton 14 was created in 1921 on Clanton Street in Los Angeles, California. During World War II Los Angeles renamed Clanton Street to 14th Place, for War related industries easy addressing, which is why they are called Clanton 14. (C14ST). In 1942, member Frank Torres was shot by a member of the First Street Gang at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during a city high school track meet. This caused city officials to realize there had been a Pachuco gang problem in the city, whilst the Sleepy Lagoon incident with the 38th Street gang had national news media coverage on the Los Angeles gang problem leading to the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots. Clanton 14's recruiting policy has remained strict over the decades. Generally, they only allow people of Hispanic descent to join their ranks. Refusal to allow some to join led to the creation of the infamous 18th Street gang. It was around 1964-65 the 18th Street gang was formed by an American Samoan who grew up in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles named Rocky Glover, who was known for actively recruiting children, foreigners and others not allowed in Clanton 14. The 18th Street gang was the first Hispanic gang to recruit African-Americans as well. Today Clanton 14 and 18th Street are bitter rivals that have left a trail of bloodshed over the decades. The Los Angeles Police Department used to nickname the 18th Street gang "Clanton Throw-aways".