Human Rights Activist Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef is a prominent human rights activist and community leader based in Chicago, widely known for his advocacy against police brutality and gun violence.

He is the founder of the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice

CACFJ is dedicated to advancing the needs of the voiceless, unheard, and forgotten, focusing on issues such as police brutality, immigrant rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and social equity

CACFJ organizes annual and ongoing public demonstrations to raise awareness and demand justice. Examples include:

• Boycott of 4th of July: An annual protest highlighting the lack of independence for marginalized groups, including immigrants, Palestinians, and communities affected by wrongful convictions and police brutality www.chicagoactivismhub.org.
• Black Lives Matter Protests: CACFJ has mobilized supporters to protest police violence and advocate for defunding the police
• Vigils for Missing and Murdered Women: The coalition has organized events to honor victims and demand accountability from authorities
• Advocacy for Immigrant Rights and Palestinian Justice: CACFJ participates in broader coalitions demanding an end to deportations, U.S. aid to Israel, and ICE operations

Key Advocacy Areas

Police Accountability: He frequently leads protests against racial profiling and misconduct, often citing his own past experiences with police brutality as motivation.

Legislative Reform: He founded the Push 5 Coalition, which aims to make Illinois the fifth U.S. state to end qualified immunity for law enforcement officers.

Violence & Missing Persons: Yosef is a vocal advocate for families of victims of gun violence and missing persons, notably bringing attention to the "unsolved murders of black and brown women in Chicago". The Rabbi has a dedidicated website for this work

www.whokilledourgirls.com.

Immigration: He has been active in protests against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and has invoked his rights as clergy to attempt access to detention facilities
Notable Work and Appearances

Documentary Feature: He was featured in the 2025 documentary "The Hunt for Chicago's DEADLIEST Serial Killer," which investigated unsolved strangulation cases on the city's South and West sides of black and brown women. This documentary has viewed 1.5 million times.

Community Support: He has stood with individuals facing legal challenges to advocate for social services rather than incarceration, such as in cases involving child endangerment charges.

Civic Engagement: Yosef has stepped forward as a steadfast advocate in Chicago’s most urgent conversations, answering the call to serve and to speak for those too often unheard. Invited by 20th Ward Alderman Jeanette Taylor to the Chicago City Council, he helped elevate awareness of missing persons and human trafficking. He also stood before Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and members of City Council to shine a light on the 75 Women of Color Murdered by Chicago Serial Killer, urging the city toward accountability, remembrance, and action. At the 4th District City Council, the Rabbi continued this work—speaking with clarity and compassion about missing persons, human trafficking, and unsolved murders involving Black and Brown women.

He follows non-violent principles inspired by Dr. MartinLuther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton, and advocates for community-led
oversight through initiatives like the CPAC (Civilian Police Accountability
Council).