Free Republic

Federal prosecutors today charged members of the Latino Florencia 13 street gang with racially motivated crimes against African Americans, including several attempted homicides. Authorities said the gang specifically tried to eliminate rival African American gangs in South L.A. and the Florence-Firestone area in an effort to "cleanse" the neighborhood. In doing so, they mistakenly harassed and attacked innocent African American residents, according to the indictment. More than 60 members and associates of the Florencia 13 street gang were charged with federal racketeering and drug charges. "In their attempt to intimidate African Americans in the community, they targeted innocent citizens," U.S....