What is benjamin melendez?

Benjamin Melendez was a Latino gang leader from Spanish Harlem, New York, who gained national attention during the 1970s. He was the founder and leader of the Young Lords gang, which was known for its political activism and community work. Melendez was born in Puerto Rico in 1950 and moved to New York with his family when he was a child. He was involved in street gangs from a young age and eventually founded the Young Lords in 1969. The group was inspired by the Black Panthers and aimed to fight for social justice and Puerto Rican independence. Melendez and the Young Lords became involved in numerous protests and campaigns around issues such as housing, healthcare, and police brutality. He also led efforts to educate and empower the Latino community, particularly in Spanish Harlem. After leaving the gang life in the 1980s, Melendez became a community organizer and activist, and has continued to fight for social justice throughout his life.