José ‘Cha-Cha’ Jiménez, Human Rights Activist and Young Lords Leader, Dies

Chicago: It’s a sad day for many as José “Cha-Cha” Jiménez has passed away. He was a major player in the fight for civil rights and co-founded the Rainbow Coalition. He died on January 10 at the age of 76.

Jiménez spent a lot of time in the late 60s and early 70s battling gentrification in Lincoln Park. He teamed up with various groups to support low-income communities and advocated for Puerto Rican independence. Bobby Rush, a former congressman and longtime friend, called him a “top-notch fighter” who could inspire change just by speaking.

His family moved to Chicago during a wave of Puerto Rican migration in the 1940s. They settled in Lincoln Park, where Jiménez became a leader in the Young Lords, a group he helped establish in 1959. He was deeply influenced by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and he wanted to address issues like police brutality and housing problems.

In 1969, after the tragic death of a fellow Young Lords member, Jiménez led protests against police violence. The group organized free meals and medical clinics, similar to the Black Panthers. They even occupied a building to fight against city orders that threatened their community programs.

Jiménez was dedicated to his community and worked tirelessly to unite people against the challenges they faced. He believed in the power of collective action and was a key figure in forming the Rainbow Coalition, which brought together various groups for a common cause.

After some legal troubles, he ran for city council in 1975 and garnered significant support. He later helped Harold Washington win the mayoral election in 1983 before moving away from Chicago.

Even after his health declined, Jiménez returned to Chicago to inspire a new generation of activists. He is survived by his three sisters, five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His wake will be held on January 16, before he is laid to rest in Puerto Rico near his mother.