Charles Koen facts for kids

Charles "Chuck" Koen (1945 – July 20, 2018) was an African-American minister and civil rights activist. He was born in Cairo, Illinois. Koen worked to make life fairer for Black people in the United States. He was a leader of groups like the Black Liberators and the Black United Front Cairo.

Charles Koen's Early Activism

Charles Koen started his work in the mid-1960s. He helped different groups in Southern Illinois. In 1968, he started the Black Liberators in St. Louis, Missouri. This group worked for civil rights.

Leading Change in Cairo, Illinois

Koen later became well-known for his work in Cairo, Illinois. He led important campaigns there. One famous action was a boycott of businesses owned by white people. A boycott is when people stop buying things from certain stores. They do this to show they are unhappy and want change.

His efforts in Cairo were noticed by many. The famous jazz drummer Max Roach even honored Koen on one of his music albums.

Facing Challenges for Civil Rights

Charles Koen, like many other civil rights leaders, faced difficulties. He was watched by a program called COINTELPRO. This program was run by the FBI. It aimed to keep an eye on Black activists and groups in the 1960s and 1970s.

What Was COINTELPRO?

COINTELPRO was a secret program. It was approved by FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover and President Richard M. Nixon. The program watched many important people. These included Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers. It also watched groups like the Black Panthers and Koen's own Black Liberators.

The program's goal was to make it harder for civil rights leaders to work together. It tried to stop them from organizing and uniting communities. Activists who were watched often faced many challenges.

Legacy of Charles Koen

Charles Koen dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights. He worked to bring about equality and justice. His actions helped to make a difference for many people. He is remembered for his strong leadership and commitment.