Young Lords

Originally a Chicago street gang, the Young Lords emerged as a civil rights–conscious and political empowerment–minded youth movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, known for its confrontational tactics and radicalism. The Young Lords were founded in September 1968 as a reformed street gang under the leadership of José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a native of Puerto Rico whose family relocated to Chicago during childhood. The Young Lords drew inspiration from the social activism of the era, such as the black civil rights movement, the anti–Vietnam War movement, and the charisma of Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, and others. Jiménez envisioned the Young Lords as a Black Panther–like organization for Puerto Ricans and other Latinos.

Although the Young Lords originated in Chicago and chapters existed in numerous cities throughout the northeast, the New York City chapter became the Young Lords’ largest and most notable. The New York City chapter of the Young Lords Party was formally established on July 26, 1969, by several socially conscious Puerto Rican college students after they had traveled to Chicago and personally met with Jiménez.

Founding members included Felipe Luciano, Juan Gonzalez, Mickey Melendez, Denise Oliver, Iris Morales, and Pablo “Yoruba” Guzman. The Young Lords Party adopted a 13-point program as its mission statement in October 1969, which called for the independence of Puerto Rico, an end to U.S. military intervention overseas, an end to racism and economic exploitation, greater governmental attention to issues of poverty and social neglect, and the establishment of a socialist society. The Young Lords also adopted a distinct [Page 2217]uniform that consisted of an Army fatigue jacket, a purple beret, and combat boots.

During the summer of 1969, the Young Lords launched a Garbage Offensive to protest the city's lack of adequate trash disposal service in East Harlem (affectionately known as El Barrio by locals). Members stole a dozen large brooms from the local Department of Sanitation and proceeded to sweep the neighborhood streets, accumulating the trash into a five-foot-tall barrier along Third Avenue that caused an acute traffic jam. Eventually, the Young Lords set the wall of trash on fire as local residents cheered the young radicals’ brashness. This Garbage Offensive resulted in city efforts to improve trash removal within El Barrio.

In perhaps the organization's most memorable action, the Young Lords occupied the First Spanish Methodist Church in East Harlem for 11 days in December 1969 and January 1970. After seizing control, the Young Lords converted the church into a makeshift community center that offered a free breakfast program for school children, donated clothing, and films and musical entertainment for local residents. The New York Police Department ultimately stormed the church and arrested 103 Young Lords. As the police escorted the arrestees from the church, the defiant Lords raised their clenched right fists overhead to the cheers of onlooker local residents who sang “Que Bonita Bandera,” a prideful Puerto Rican anthem.

The Young Lords began to decline in membership as well as influence after 1971 because of the confluence of several factors. During that year's Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Young Lords attempted to take control of the event. Former Young Lord Miguel “Mickey” Melendez admits that his organization aimed to prevent the Puerto Rican officers of the New York Police Department from marching at the head of the parade, as was customary. This showdown escalated into a violent confrontation that encompassed many of the parade's bystanders and spectators, marking a significant turning point in the larger Nuyorican community's views of the Young Lords’ radical agenda and tactical operations. Another major factor contributing to the downfall of the Young Lords was infiltration of the organization by undercover agents as part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO).

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