– FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE –
Over the past several months, NEYL has experienced significant internal conflict, an organizational investigation, and a breakdown in communication and trust among members and leadership. These circumstances have extended beyond those directly involved in the investigation. Throughout this period, our chapters have continued organizing efforts and maintained our commitments to the communities we serve. Yet, several chapters have continued to experience difficulties, broken confidentiality; including interactions and disagreements that have damaged relationships and raised serious concerns about respect, accountability, and collective responsibility.
However, collective work at the national level has remained at a standstill. Meetings have not taken place, important decisions have gone unresolved, and the cooperation necessary to move the organization forward has deteriorated. We recognize that disagreements are unavoidable in any organization and that accountability must apply to everyone, regardless of position, responsibilities, or years of service. We also acknowledge the investigation established through the Central Committee and the work undertaken by those entrusted with that responsibility. Its proceedings and recommendations deserve to be respected rather than used to prolong personal disputes or deepen existing divisions. At the same time, the experiences of our chapters cannot be dismissed or overlooked.
After careful consideration, the Ohio, Maryland, NYC, and Holyoke alongside the Young Lords Organization and Young Lords Party elders chapters have collectively determined that continued collaboration within NEYL with the Chicago and Florida chapters, along with Alyssa Rae, National Field Marshal, and Carina Melara, National Minister of Information, is no longer possible.
We therefore affirm our collective decision to end these working relationships and pursue the formal separation of the Chicago and Florida chapters from NEYL, together with the removal of Alyssa Rae and Carina Melara, from organizational membership and their respective national positions of responsibility, in accordance with the organization's established governing procedures. This includes the conclusion of representation of NEYL within the Second Rainbow Coalition. NEYL will independently determine its future participation and organizational relationship with the coalition, without interfering in its internal leadership or affairs.
Upon formal implementation of these decisions, the Chicago and Florida chapters will no longer be recognized as affiliated chapters of the New Era Young Lords, and these individuals will no longer hold membership or participate in NEYL's internal meetings, communications, or decision-making processes. The chapters and individuals identified no longer represent, speak, or act on behalf of our organization or present themselves as part of its recognized organizational structure.
Recognizing this reality is not an abandonment of our principles, but an acknowledgment of our responsibility to the organization and its members. We understand that organizational separation and membership removal are serious decisions. This decision is not intended to erase anyone's contributions, diminish their humanity, or interfere with their independent political, educational, or community work. However, trust cannot be demanded, reconciliation cannot be forced, and meaningful cooperation cannot continue where the relationships necessary to sustain it have broken down.
The New Era Young Lords carries forward the history, principles, and responsibilities of the Young Lords movement through the passing of the torch from those who came before us. This continuation is more than a name. It represents a commitment to collective struggle, community organizing, political education, liberation, and self-determination. It is our responsibility to honor what has been entrusted to us while remaining accountable to the people and communities we serve. Our responsibility now is to restore communication among the chapters continuing together, strengthen organizational accountability, rebuild our national structure, and ensure that our collective efforts remain focused on the communities we serve.
The decision expressed in this statement is not based solely on the investigation or the experiences of any one individual. It reflects the concerns, experiences, and conclusions of chapters that have independently determined they can no longer maintain certain organizational relationships.
Collectively we recognize that this separation marks a difficult moment in our organizational history. It is not a celebration of division, nor is it a rejection of anyone's right to continue serving their community. It is a collective acknowledgment that certain organizational relationships have reached their conclusion and that NEYL must move forward.
We must remain committed to the continued development of the New Era Young Lords, the self-determination and responsibilities of our chapters, and the principles upon which this organization was established.
Respectfully,
NEW ERA YOUNG LORDS
National Chairman - Suby Toro
New Era Young Lords — Ohio Chapter
New Era Young Lords — Maryland Chapter
New Era Young Lords — Bronx Chapter, New York
New Era Young Lords — Holyoke Chapter, Massachusetts
