Continentals (gang)
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| Founded | 1961 |
|---|---|
| Founding location | New York City |
| Years active | 1961-1964 |
| Territory | Chinatown, Manhattan |
| Ethnicity | Chinese |
| Membership (est.) | 100 |
| Criminal activities | Vandalism and Assault |
The Continentals (Chinese: 大陸幣) were a Chinese American street gang that was prominent in New York City's Chinatown in the early 1960s.
The Continentals were created in 1961 by ABCs (American Born Chinese) high school students for the purpose of protecting Chinese students from attacks from other ethnic groups, such as Puerto Ricans, Italians and African Americans. One example was when African American Gangs from the Smith Projects where one continental remembers when he used to pass by they would throw dirty diapers out the window and call him Chinaman. The Continentals were the first ABC (American Born Chinese) gang created in Chinatown Manhattan. In the early sixties several "juk tuk" clubs began to appear. Foremost were the Continentals, a bunch who spent a good deal of time looking into the mirror, practicing complex handshakes. The gang got their name from ripping of insignia from Lincoln Continentals cars.[1]
Criminal history
Prior to immigration law in 1965 the only active Chinese street gang were The Continentals. Their crimes were mostly non violent, primarily vandalism as they did not have a reputation of violent crimes, as well as not being founded with a money making purpose.