Seen these on the Perrys site? C19th rioting armed mob...

[Conquistador]

The statistics of today frequently break gang statistics down by Hispanic; African American; Asian; White, Non-Hispanic; Other.  Growing up in Los Angeles I found that to be true in most cases in the 1950-1970 time frame.

The "Gangs of New York" in the middle to late 1800's (and else where) were the flip-side of Multi-cultural (very ethnic oriented) from what I understand (that era of American city history is not a a strong suit for my degrees) so you'd have Irish, German, Italian, Jewish, etc., gangs?  Would there be any visible differences in clothing style that would differentiate one Caucasian, non-Hispanic group from another?

Some interesting reading -

http://www.gangresearch.net/Archives/UIC/Courses/history/beforethrash.html

And some quotes from http://social.jrank.org/pages/1256/Violent-Crime-Diversification-Gangs.html

"...Youth gangs have traditionally been racially and ethnically segregated, located in large urban centers, and associated with violent activity..."  Note that is claimed to be changing.

"...New immigrant groups that enter the United States often flock to the same area and in short order form gang like organizations. Some of the early ones include the Irish gangs of the mid-1800s with names like Whyos, Dead Rabbits, and Plug Uglies. In New York City the Monk Eastman Gang, made up primarily of Jewish immigrants, terrorized the streets during the late 1800s. Among the Monk Eastman Gang's rivals were the newly forming Italian gangs, like the Five Point Gang..."

Gracias,

Glenn

[General Roos]

Agree. Perfect for NY draft riots, but also for the food riots in the south. Some of them could also be used as Kansas militia!

[Ramshackle_Curtis]

GANGS OF NEW YORK!

[The_Beast]

Gangs [OT]:

Going even further astray, many 'gangs' had their beginnings as beneficial cultural clubs and societies. I was interested in seeing Tongs described as criminal organizations in a recent news article in a manner suggesting that is what they always were.

However, it's my understanding they started as places for social gatherings and social welfare, only later being used as criminal cover. No more sinister than the Masons or Shriners.

Oh, wait...

Doug

[fastolfrus]

They'd go well in a VSF factory setting.

Might be handy for crew figures too.