David Sanchez (born June 17, 1947) is an American civil rights activist, and founding member of the Brown Berets. In the 1960s and 70s he was heavily involved in the Chicano civil rights and political movements.

An accomplished student in high school, in 1966 Sanchez chaired Mayor Sam Yorty’s youth council. However personal experiences with police brutality from the LAPD radicalized his politics and world view.  With other high school students, Sanchez helped found the Young Chicanos for Community Action.^[2] With his leadership, the Young Chicanos For Community Action eventually became the Brown Berets.^[3] The Brown Berets advocated for better schools and the fair treatment of Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles.^[3] The organization also worked on farmworkers’ rights, opposition to the Vietnam War, and organizing against police brutality.

Known as the “Prime Minister,” Sanchez played a key role in the organization of the Chicano Moratorium and the East L.A. walkouts. In 1969, Sanchez and the Brown Berets established the East LA Free Clinic on Whittier Boulevard.  He was at the National Chicano Moratorium March on August 29, 1970, and was friends with journalist Ruben Salazar who was killed that day.