NYC Civil Rights History: The Young Lords

This lesson from the New York City Civil Rights History Project delves into the dynamic history of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican-led movement that transformed from a street group into a powerful force for community justice in NYC during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Students investigate pivotal campaigns—like the 1969 “Garbage Offensive,” the 1970 occupation of Lincoln Hospital, and the takeover of a church—to explore how the Young Lords demanded equitable sanitation, healthcare, education, and women’s rights. Through primary-source analysis and discussion, learners examine the organization’s grassroots tactics, coalition-building, and enduring impact on racial, health, and educational justice — Website