American History Tellers History Daily: The Lincoln Hospital Takeover
Jul 14, 2025
On July 14, 1970, Puerto Rican activists took a bold stand, seizing Lincoln Hospital to demand better healthcare. Their hijacking of a mobile x-ray truck revealed a tuberculosis crisis in their community. This action highlighted systemic injustices faced by Puerto Ricans and spurred significant activism for health reform. The takeover uncovered dire patient conditions and sparked negotiations for meaningful changes. Despite internal conflicts, the Young Lords' efforts laid the groundwork for a new community-focused hospital.
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Young Lords' X-Ray Truck Hijack
- Miguel Mickey Melendez and the Young Lords hijacked a mobile health department x-ray truck to address tuberculosis in their community.
- They screened more patients in one day than technicians usually saw in a week, exposing many undiagnosed cases.
Young Lords Shift to Activism
- The Young Lords shifted from gang activity to political activism to fight for Puerto Rican civil rights and better services.
- They used direct action protests to expose health injustices and demand community-focused healthcare.
Lincoln Hospital Takeover
- On July 14, 1970, the Young Lords peacefully took over Lincoln Hospital, armed and ready but met with no resistance.
- Hospital staff, many Puerto Rican, sympathized and allowed the group control to spotlight health disparities.