“Territorio Libre”

This chapter examines the work of young radicals in the Black Panthers, Young Lords Party, student left, and lower-profile neighborhood groups who sought to establish community say over housing during the Vietnam War period. It first provides an overview of ghetto radicalism in the late 1960s before turning to school activism and the involvement of women radicals in the housing struggle under the banner of community control. It then considers the emergence of the squatter movement, along with the squatter actions launched by young radicals in collaboration with older activists in an attempt to preserve ome of New York's scarce low-rent housing stock. It also discusses the interaction between Old and New Left housing organizers that amplified the feminist awakenings taking place in New York during this period. In particular, it looks at how young people who became active with Met Council on Housing were mentored by women whose brand of feminism focused on a deliberate analysis of sexual exploitation.