Printed in 1971, PALANTE is the first book published about the Young Lords. Through photographs and interviews with members, the book captures the spirit of the organization. The Young Lords fought for the rights of Puerto Ricans in the United States and for the independence of Puerto Rico.

Young Lords responded to community issues ranging from lack of affordable housing to police brutality. Organizing directly in Latino/a communities the Young Lords did street garbage clean ups, ran "serve the people programs," and did door-to-door health care. The Young Lords also conducted dramatic takeovers of local institutions to draw attention to the neglect of surrounding communities.

Michael Abramson photographed and interviewed the Young Lords starting in 1969. This book includes 72 pages of photographs and transcribed interviews with New York City members. Among the articles in the book are:


"We're trying to make a society where opportunity is the rule for everybody."

"The Chains that have been taken off slaves' bodies are put back on their minds."


"The price of Imperialism is lives."

"When you look to any group to find out who's the most oppressed, it's always gonna be the women."


"Before people called me 'spic' they called me 'nigger'."

The plates for the original book were destroyed by the book publisher.

The book is no longer available for sale. You may find it in some public or school libraries.