‘Who was the original Rainbow Coalition ?’ Movie Screening & Panel Discussion
Despite popular opinion, the Black Panther Party was not intended to be nationalistic. The Illinois Chapter of the Panthers were the architects of what would become the original “Rainbow Coalition”.
Brought together by the leadership from the Black Panthers in Chicago, partnerships were forged between the Panthers, the Young Patriots and the Young Lords. Thus, the Rainbow Coalition was an ethnically diverse group of African, European, and Puerto Rican Americans, that came together to improve economic empowerment, and fight against political corruption and police brutality. Former coalition members and members from the Illinois Chapter History Project will address the legacy of this vibrant group. A short film entitled, ‘Rainbow Coalition’, will introduce the program.
Speakers:
Jacobi Williams, Ph.D – Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Kentucky
Omar Lopez – Young Lord
Jose (Cha-Cha) Jimenez – founder of the Young Lords
Michael James – Rising Up Angry
Akua Njeri – Black Panther Party, Illinois Chapter