Between 1969 and 1975, Rising Up Angry produced one of Chicago’s underground press newspapers, operated a free health clinic, delivered free legal services, held people’s dances and sports events, protested against the Vietnam War, and worked with active and returning GIs.
The group’s female members participated in the founding of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union and the group allied with the Young Lords Organization, the Black Panther Party, and the Young Patriots in a multiracial, grassroots Rainbow Coalition.
In addition to organizing in Chicago’s working class communities to tackle issues like slum housing, members also made a short film, Trick Bag (1974) that interviewed young people about their experiences with racism. Under the slogan, “To Love We Must Fight,” Rising Up Angry was a vibrant cry for justice and equity in an era when youthful radicals sought to change the world. This sharing of RUA has lessons and inspiration for today.
