Chicago Bootcamp Report Back

The Poor People's Army is uniting individuals and organizations from coast to coast, cities to prairies, family farms to crumbling factory towns. We are poor and working people that understand the importance of taking power into our own hands and away from the rich and powerful. In an effort to do so, we hosted a Bootcamp in Chicago, with participants from across the Midwest, to build a movement to end poverty – led by those of us most impacted by our failing economic system.

Intense discussion and revolutionary bonding.

It is worth noting that we celebrated one of the Young Lords oldest and most prolific members, Cha-Cha Jimanez’s Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHA-CHA!!!!! The festivites were both fun and engaging as we honored the legacy of one of the 2nd Rainbow Coalitions founding heroes.

As for the Bootcamp, itself, Poor People's Army Bootcamps look at mental intelligence, healing, responsibility to others, self-discipline, strategic planning, political organizing and education on topics such as intersectionality of oppressions. August 12th and 13th we hosted and built connections with the Brown Berets, New Era Young Lords, United Panther Movement and The Healing Corner. The bulk of time was spent on tools, tactics, and leadership in the movement, using videos, short writings, personal experiences, exercises to explore the importance of self-education and commitment. We also had the opportunity and pleasure to attend the 75th Birthday of Cha-Cha Jimenez – Founder of Young Lords and the original Rainbow Coalition.

Poor and working people in the U.S. need to wrestle control away from corporations and the rich, to plan and adapt to these changes in a way that benefits all humanity. We know the existing political parties, both Democrats and Republicans, are controlled by elite corporate powers, and will only lead poor and working people to a literal dead end. The time for dead end reforms, for compromise with uncaring oppressors, for debating with billionaires is over. We demand control over the basic necessities of life, and we will food, clothe, and house our people in the meantime by any means necessary. 

Happy Birthday Cha-Cha!!

We are holding Bootcamps across the country as part of an effort to bring together independently funded organizations and individuals who understand that we no longer have time to wait for corporate parties (Republicans and Democrats) to develop the political will to care for our communities that are experiencing a growing equality of misery as a result of labor less production and climate change. across the country in order to prepare for our Marches on the Republican National Convention (July 15th, 2024 in Milwaukee) and Democratic National Convention (August 19th, 2024 in Chicago).

If you are interested in hosting a Bootcamp in your area or joining our organizing efforts, contact us at PPEHRCorg@gmail.com or 215-869-4753.