The Boriquen Blazers were a Puerto Rican street gang from the Bronx in Sol Yurick's novel The Warriors. They came into conflict with the Coney Island Dominators when the latter gang was trying to return to their turf. They're notable small and low in influence, not being invited to the big meeting or even aware it was happening.
In The Novel[]
The Blazers are a Hispanic gang from Tremont in the Bronx. Their gang uniform is a shirt with blue stripes and a wide-brimmed hat. Prior to the events of the book, they're at war with a rival gang known as "The Castro Stompers" and seem to be on bad terms with another gang called "The Jackson Street Masais."
They encounter the Dominators walking through their territory. Initially, the gangs are on good terms. Although their Warlord, referred to only as "Little Leader" is shocked he wasn't invited to the big meeting, the Dominator's current war cheif, Hector, appeases him by assuring him that it was a mistake on the Thrones' part. Hector mentions their gang has a Youth Board worker, and when Little Leader bemoans that their gang doesn't have one yet, Hector again appeases him by telling him the Youth Board is simply overworked.
Little Leader takes a liking to the Dominators and, seeing as his lieutenant Chuchu hasn't brought in reinforcements, allows them safe passage through their territory. He even advises them to avoid their two rival gangs. However, the Leader's unnamed girlfriend objects, saying that allowing the Dominators to walk through their turf unharmed makes him look weak, and complains that if they're allowed safe passage, they should have to give up one of their insignia pins. Little Leader is initially hesitant, but caves in and demands a pin. There's a brief scuffle, but the Blazers fall back due to their small numbers, waiting for Chuchu and the other men to return first.
The gang escapes, and the leader's girlfriend follows them. She tries to get a pin from one of the members and cheers on the stabbing of a random man. However, the gang becomes frustrated with her and gang rapes her, leaving her laying in an alley before she limps off, cursing them all.
In the Film[]
The Blazers are adapted in the film as The Orphans, a weak and small-time gang. However, there are several differences. The Orphans are mostly white, not Hispanic. They're also far more pathetic, their uniform being simple dirty, green shirts. The scene where the Orphans brag about their crimes with newspaper clippings is reversed in the novel, with the Dominators showing off newspaper clippings to the Blazers. The leader's girlfriend, Mercy, is spared the fate of her novel counterpart and even becomes a member of the gang.
In the Game[]
In addition to The Orphans, a gang called The Hurricanes are given an expanded role in the game, taking clear inspiration from the Blazers, as they are both Puerto Rican gangs who wear hats. Some members even wear blue, the original color of the Blazers in the book.
Members[]
- Little Leader" (Main Warlord)
- "Chuchu" (Main Lieutenant)
- Unnamed Girlfriend
- Unnamed Soldiers
Trivia[]
- The Blazers share some similarities to The Sharks from West Side Story. Yurrick expressed distaste for the musical, calling it "trivial" and "silly." His novel was partially a response to the saccharine portrayal of gang life in the film. Its possible Yurrick made the gang so weak and ineffective as a jab at the play.