Meet Mariela, Youth Activist for Change

In 40 days Californians go to the polls for the Presidential Primary Election. Do you plan to vote? We hope so! The MIV Alliance launched our Leading with Story and Values Spring 2016 Campaign this past Monday to ensure our communities help shape our state and country. Leading with the vision of Until We Are All Free we will contact tens of thousands of immigrant and refugee New American voters and share and collect stories of why we fight for justice and freedom.

Powering the campaign is a multi-racial group of volunteers young and old working in Amharic, Cantonese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and English. During MIV’s Electoral Boot Camp in March, we met and reconnected with some of these dynamic volunteers. We’re pleased to introduce you to Mariela, aged 16, who has volunteered at Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) since 2014.

Mariela and the many volunteers who are committed to building the voting power of immigrant and refugee New American communities inspire and invigorate us! Can we count on you to support volunteers like Mariela? Donate today to ensure they get travel stipends and are fed wholesomely during campaign. Share her story on social media. Vote on June 7th.

Big thanks to our campaign members — Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Communities for a New California Education Fund, Filipino Advocates for Justice, Korean Resource Center, Mid-City Community Advocacy Network, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, and Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network — for building power and democracy across our state!

In solidarity,
Suguey and the MIV team