260:
By the mid 1960s, Fort assembled a coalition of 21 gangs with about 5,000 members. He organized the coalition under a governing body called the "Main 21", composed of 21 gang leaders or "generals". As the Ranger organization grew, it became involved in community and political activism. The gang also
256:
Around 1959, Fort and
Hairston formed the Blackstone Rangers gang at St. Charles Juvenile Detention Center. The Blackstone Rangers originated as a small youth gang along Blackstone Avenue in the Woodlawn area, assembled to defend themselves against other gangs in the South Side. Hairston was the
655:
463:
268:
In 1967, under Rev. Fry's guidance, Fort obtained a charter from the State of
Illinois to form a political organization, Grassroots Independent Voters of Illinois. Fort's organization applied for and received a US$ 1 million federal grant from the now-defunct
257:
gang's leader with Fort as second in command. The
Rangers fought rival gangs, especially the Devil's Disciples. During the early 1960s, Fort earned the nickname "Angel" for his ability to solve disputes and form alliances between the Rangers and other gangs.
191:
gang and is the founder of its El Rukn faction. Fort is currently serving a 168-year prison sentence after being convicted of conspiracy and weapons charges in 1987 for plotting to commit attacks inside the U.S. in exchange for weapons and $ 2.5 million from
309:. The Stones engaged in robberies, extortion, and forced recruitment while also acting to keep order in the South Side. The Stones also gained control of vice in the South Side, demanding protection payments from prostitution operations and drug dealers.
1112:
Organized crime : 25 years after
Valachi : hearings before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundredth Congress, second session, April 11, 15, 21, 22, 29,
659:
379:
Law enforcement speculated the motive for the conversion was to take advantage of restrictions on law enforcement surveillance over religious organizations. During the 1970s, the gang trafficked in cocaine and heroin.
441:
Fort's daughter, Ameena
Matthews, became an anti-violence activist (or "violence interrupter") in Chicago with the Al Hafeez Initiative. Matthews was featured in the 2011 documentary film
276:
Unlike many gangs, the
Blackstone Rangers were not considered outsiders but had been largely accepted by Chicago society, with Jeff Fort even receiving an invitation from President
419:). In 1988, Fort was convicted of ordering the 1981 murder of a rival gang leader. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison, to be served consecutively with his conspiracy sentence.
679:
1273:
368:
for "the pillar". In 1978, Fort returned to
Chicago. In a coup, he replaced the Stones' 21 generals with five close allies and renamed the Black P. Stone Nation to
1243:
327:
In 1972, Fort and two others were convicted of misusing federal funds and Fort was sentenced to five years in prison. Fort served two years at the
407:
on behalf of a foreign government. He was sentenced to 80 years' imprisonment, consecutive to his drug trafficking sentence, and transferred to
1263:
492:
1283:
1278:
372:. In early–1977, Fort purchased The Oakwood, an old vacant movie theater located at 3947 South Drexel Ave., as their headquarters, naming it
747:
1238:
384:
1116:
312:
In 1969 the jobs program came under investigation amid accusations that grant money was diverted to criminal activities. Fort was
1228:
479:
328:
723:
273:
to fund a program to teach job skills to gang members. The
Rangers also received grants and loans from private foundations.
933:
695:
1223:
281:
1248:
391:. Fort continued to lead El Rukn through daily telephone calls from prison. He ordered members of El Rukn to meet with
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982:
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861:
834:
767:
604:
574:
532:
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383:
In 1983, Fort was convicted of drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 13 years in prison. He was sent to the
791:
270:
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221:
320:
committee. Fort introduced himself at the committee hearings and walked out; for this, he was convicted of
803:
301:
After
Hairston was imprisoned in 1966, Fort assumed command of the Rangers. By 1968, he renamed it to the
1134:
Departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993
1268:
232:
1082:
493:"Jeff Fort Marshall Patner Jeff Fort left Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image | Shutterstock"
1154:
851:
443:
395:
officials. The gang agreed to commit terrorist acts in the U.S. in exchange for US$ 2.5 million.
433:, in 2006 and remains there as of 2024, being under a no-human-contact order since his arrival.
1208:
744:
357:
524:
518:
1233:
240:
228:
209:
208:
Fort was the second of ten children born to John Lee and Annie Fort (née Bacon; d. 2010) in
45:
898:
626:
360:. Fort then renamed the Black P. Stones to the El Rukn Tribe of the Moorish Science Temple,
1213:
321:
317:
217:
8:
265:
minister, Rev. John Fry, who advised Hairston and Fort how to manage their organization.
1051:
Rossi, Rosalind (1988-11-15). "75 more years for Fort 4 other Rukns draw stiff terms".
430:
404:
139:
92:
1158:
1137:
1120:
1008:
857:
830:
719:
600:
570:
528:
213:
631:
520:
Up against the wall: violence in the making and unmaking of the Black Panther Party
416:
403:
In 1987, Fort was tried and convicted for conspiring with Libya to perform acts of
197:
551:"At one point, now-notorious Chicago gang leader Jeff Fort’s future looked bright"
751:
713:
564:
426:
188:
77:
72:
412:
388:
1202:
285:
277:
1141:
1124:
423:
262:
88:
563:
White, Deborah Gray; Bay, Mia; Waldo e. Martin, Jr (9 September 2016).
408:
129:
1014:
Jeff Fort, serving 155 years at the federal prison in Downstate Marion
1184:
353:
1006:
Rossi, Rosalind (1992-08-24). "How the Law Won War With El Rukns".
313:
236:
715:
Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans, with Documents
566:
Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans, with Documents
983:"In Chicago Courtroom, Nation's First Super Gang Fights for Life"
369:
181:
177:
794:, chicagotribune.com, August 11, 2010; retrieved March 12, 2020.
365:
332:
16:
American street gang leader and mobster from Chicago, Illinois
392:
336:
193:
335:
in 1976. During his time at Leavenworth, Fort converted to
594:
398:
1181:"GANG PROFILE UPDATE: The Black P. Stone Nation (BPSN)"
562:
284:. Fort declined this invitation, sending his "top man"
951:"Chicago Journal; U.S. Squares Off Against Tough Gang"
1183:. National Gang Crime Research Center. Archived from
825:Harris, Donnie (2004). "Black Peace Stone Nation".
352:After his release from prison in 1976, he moved to
1148:
597:African American Organized Crime: A Social History
196:, ordering a murder in 1981 and a conviction for
1274:Members of the Moorish Science Temple of America
1200:
856:. University of Chicago Press. pp. 140–42.
1244:American people imprisoned on terrorism charges
768:"Five Draw Long Sentences for Terrorism Scheme"
1136:. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O. p. 1071.
711:
599:. Rutgers University Press. pp. 199–202.
1151:States of Siege: U.S. Prison Riots, 1971-1986
1131:
1109:
792:Family of ex-gang leader "Jeff Fort sues PBS"
696:Body Pulled From Wolf Lake Is Jeff Fort's Son
280:, following the 1968 election, to attend the
1066:"Crime Elite Moving To Rockies 'Alcatraz'".
806:, August 13, 2010; retrieved March 12, 2020.
620:
618:
616:
590:
588:
586:
936:, books.google.com; accessed July 15, 2020.
712:White, D.G.; Bay, M.; Martin, W.E. (2016).
595:Schatzberg, Rufus; Robert J. Kelly (1987).
1178:
944:
942:
890:
885:Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
804:"Family Says PBS Crew Intruded on Funeral"
470:, July 10, 1968; retrieved March 12, 2020.
1074:
980:
896:
853:Grassroots Independent Voters of Illinois
820:
818:
816:
814:
812:
624:
613:
583:
553:, chicagomag.com; accessed July 15, 2020.
422:Fort was transferred to the newly opened
246:
976:
974:
972:
970:
829:. Holy Fire Publishing. pp. 71–72.
754:, biography.com; accessed July 15, 2020.
523:. University of Arkansas Press. p.
512:
510:
508:
506:
291:
288:and one of his "generals" in his stead.
172:(born February 20, 1947), also known as
948:
939:
762:
760:
329:United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth
243:, where he met Eugene "Bull" Hairston.
1201:
1027:"GANG CHIEF GUILTY IN RIVAL'S SLAYING"
849:
843:
824:
809:
680:"Rukn Boss's Order To Hit Son Is Told"
516:
399:1987 conspiracy and weapons conviction
1264:People convicted on terrorism charges
1050:
1019:
1005:
999:
967:
650:
648:
546:
544:
503:
464:"Rangers' Leader Walks Out On Probes"
1284:20th-century African-American people
1279:21st-century African-American people
1080:
757:
1149:Useem, Bert; Peter Kimball (1991).
934:"The Almighty Black P Stone Nation"
899:"Chicago's Blackstone Rangers (II)"
339:and assumed the name Prince Malik.
13:
949:Schmidt, William E. (1987-11-05).
924:, uic.edu; accessed July 15, 2020.
645:
541:
480:United States Senate Report (1969)
239:State Training School for Boys in
212:. He moved with his family to the
14:
1300:
1239:People from Aberdeen, Mississippi
1172:
897:McPherson, James A. (June 1969).
625:McPherson, James A. (May 1969).
385:Federal Correctional Institution
1059:
1044:
927:
915:
877:
797:
785:
738:
705:
689:
673:
1229:Almighty Black P. Stone Nation
627:"Chicago's Blackstone Rangers"
556:
485:
473:
457:
303:Almighty Black P. Stone Nation
271:Office of Economic Opportunity
180:and former gang kingpin from
1:
450:
203:
7:
482:; retrieved March 12, 2020.
220:in 1955. He dropped out of
10:
1305:
1224:African-American gangsters
1103:
1081:Khan, Azmat (2012-02-14).
517:Austin, Curtis J. (2006).
347:
342:
296:
251:
1249:American drug traffickers
850:Jacobs, James B. (1978).
658:. bop.gov. Archived from
436:
233:juvenile detention center
163:
153:
145:
127:
123:
107:
99:
84:
71:Co–founder and leader of
67:
53:
28:
21:
1289:Muslims from Mississippi
1219:African-American Muslims
981:Don Terry (1991-05-19).
718:. Bedford/St. Martin's.
569:. Bedford/St. Martin's.
261:received support from a
1254:Inmates of ADX Florence
1155:Oxford University Press
1083:"Meet The Interrupters"
224:after the ninth grade.
149:168 years' imprisonment
1259:Gangsters from Chicago
1132:United States (1992).
1110:United States (1988).
922:The Blackstone Rangers
497:Shutterstock Editorial
358:Moorish Science Temple
247:The Blackstone Rangers
103:Diane Fort (née Brown)
292:Black P. Stone Nation
222:Hyde Park High School
210:Aberdeen, Mississippi
46:Aberdeen, Mississippi
883:Timmerman, Kenneth.
354:Milwaukee, Wisconsin
322:contempt of Congress
316:to testify before a
218:Chicago's South Side
187:Fort co-founded the
115:Ameena Fort–Matthews
1068:The Washington Post
282:1969 inaugural ball
227:Fort spent time at
1157:. pp. 64–65.
1031:The New York Times
987:The New York Times
955:The New York Times
772:The New York Times
750:2016-03-03 at the
431:Florence, Colorado
405:domestic terrorism
174:Abdul Malik Ka'bah
159:September 10, 1986
93:Florence, Colorado
63:Abdul Malik Ka'bah
1269:Converts to Islam
1053:Chicago Sun-Times
1009:Chicago Sun-Times
725:978-1-319-02133-7
702:, March 29, 1997.
182:Chicago, Illinois
176:, is an American
167:
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39:February 20, 1947
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1195:
1193:
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1179:George W. Knox.
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903:Atlantic Monthly
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686:, June 18, 1991.
677:
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670:
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656:"Inmate Locator"
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643:
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632:Atlantic Monthly
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444:The Interrupters
417:Marion, Illinois
216:neighborhood on
198:drug trafficking
155:Date apprehended
146:Criminal penalty
137:Drug trafficking
132:
54:Other names
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38:
36:
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468:Chicago Tribune
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427:supermax prison
401:
356:and joined the
350:
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307:Black P. Stones
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189:Black P. Stones
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85:Criminal status
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73:Black P. Stones
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1173:External links
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1209:Living people
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1187:on 2008-01-18
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1164:0-19-505711-2
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1070:. 1994-12-27.
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836:0-9761112-4-1
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130:Conviction(s)
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117:Watkeeta Fort
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41:(age 77)
31:
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1234:Gang members
1189:. Retrieved
1185:the original
1150:
1133:
1111:
1090:. Retrieved
1086:
1076:
1067:
1061:
1055:. p. 3.
1052:
1046:
1035:. Retrieved
1033:. 1988-10-20
1030:
1021:
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1007:
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990:. Retrieved
986:
958:. Retrieved
954:
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906:. Retrieved
902:
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879:
867:. Retrieved
852:
845:
826:
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787:
776:. Retrieved
774:. 1987-12-31
771:
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729:. Retrieved
714:
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691:
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664:. Retrieved
660:the original
636:. Retrieved
630:
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424:ADX Florence
421:
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302:
300:
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267:
263:Presbyterian
259:
255:
226:
207:
186:
173:
169:
168:
111:Antonio Fort
89:ADX Florence
59:Black Prince
1214:1947 births
241:St. Charles
235:and at the
229:Cook County
113:(1965–1997)
76:Founder of
61:Chief Malik
1203:Categories
1191:2008-02-11
1117:U.S G.P.O.
1092:2020-03-01
1037:2007-12-21
992:2007-12-28
960:2007-12-29
908:2008-02-10
778:2007-12-21
731:2020-07-15
666:2008-01-30
638:2008-02-10
451:References
409:USP Marion
314:subpoenaed
231:temporary
204:Early life
140:Conspiracy
119:Tonya Fort
35:1947-02-20
1087:FRONTLINE
745:Jeff Fort
200:in 1983.
170:Jeff Fort
80:(Chicago)
23:Jeff Fort
1142:27189912
1125:19099088
869:July 15,
827:Gangland
748:Archived
374:The Fort
331:and was
237:Illinois
214:Woodlawn
108:Children
1104:Sources
887:(2002).
370:El Rukn
362:El Rukn
348:1976–86
343:El Rukn
333:paroled
297:1966–76
252:1959–66
178:mobster
78:El Rukn
1161:
1140:
1123:
860:
833:
722:
603:
573:
531:
437:Legacy
393:Libyan
366:Arabic
364:being
318:Senate
135:Murder
100:Spouse
95:, U.S.
48:, U.S.
411:(the
337:Islam
194:Libya
57:Angel
1159:ISBN
1138:OCLC
1121:OCLC
1113:1988
871:2020
858:ISBN
831:ISBN
720:ISBN
601:ISBN
571:ISBN
529:ISBN
29:Born
525:199
429:in
415:in
387:at
305:or
1205::
1153:.
1115:.
1085:.
1029:.
1012:.
985:.
969:^
953:.
941:^
901:.
811:^
770:.
759:^
698:,
682:,
647:^
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