José ‘Cha Cha’ Jiménez, Young Lords Founder and Civil Rights Leader, Dies

Chicago: José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a major figure in civil rights and the founder of the Young Lords Organization, has died at 76. His sister, Daisy Rodríguez, shared the news on Facebook.

Jiménez started the Young Lords in 1968 in Lincoln Park, a tough neighborhood in Chicago. He turned a street gang into a political group inspired by the Black Panther Party. The organization fought for healthcare, education, and housing, and even set up free clinics and breakfast programs for kids.

The Young Lords also published a newspaper to promote their initiatives and worked to create cultural centers for Puerto Rican heritage. They welcomed members from various backgrounds, including Black, Latino, women, and LGBTQ individuals, and advocated for Puerto Rico’s independence.

Born in Puerto Rico on August 8, 1948, Jiménez shared a birth month with Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton, who was killed in a police raid. Their friendship helped unite different communities in the fight for civil rights.

Under Jiménez’s leadership, the Young Lords expanded to New York City and joined the Rainbow Coalition in 1969, a surprising alliance that aimed to tackle poverty and discrimination. This coalition alarmed some authorities who feared it would disrupt the status quo.

Filmmaker Ray Santisteban, who documented the Rainbow Coalition, praised Jiménez for his dedication to uplifting the Puerto Rican community. Jiménez’s family moved to the U.S. when he was a baby, and he spent most of his life in Chicago.

In 1974, he became the first Latino to run for Alderman in Chicago, challenging Mayor Richard J. Daley’s gentrification plans. His campaign drew over 1,500 supporters. Later, he helped form a Latino coalition for Harold Washington’s mayoral campaign in 1983, playing a key role in electing Chicago’s first Black mayor.

In 1995, Jiménez collaborated with DePaul University to document the Young Lords’ history. His family announced a public funeral service in Chicago, highlighting his significant impact on civil rights and Puerto Rican self-determination.

Jiménez will be cremated, and his ashes will be placed with his mother in Puerto Rico. He is survived by his children and sisters, leaving behind a powerful legacy of activism and justice.