Global Activism Informs and Inspires COPAL's Work

COPAL (Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina) works to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Since 2018, COPAL has evolved into a grassroots power-building and visionary transnational organization. 

This past year Earth Rising was proud to support COPAL in sending Latine youth climate activists to attend the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Colombia. The location of this forum was significant for thinking about the quality of life for all Latine people. Colombia serves as a corridor for migrants immigrating to Central and North America. Because of this Colombia has become the focus of immigration policies to either limit or expand migration. Sexual violence, food insecurity and lack of healthcare are among the many challenges that women, Black, Indigenous, trans and queer migrants face in this context. These issues are made worse by the suddenness of extreme climate disasters, such as earthquakes, forest fires, and floods.

Geanella Ochoa (COPAL’s Environmental Justice Director) represented COPAL along with Vivian Sieger (Youth Program Manager) who was able to join as a part of a delegation with Alianza Americas. At the GFMD, Geanella and Vivian connected with officials from numerous governments, including Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. These conversations helped shape COPAL’s understanding of environmental justice on a global scale and particularly the role the United States has, both through its international and domestic policies, in displacing people. The GFMD allowed COPAL to connect with activists from other countries and learn about their efforts to combat and respond to forced displacement. 

Not long after returning from Colombia, COPAL utilized these lessons in development of a two-part series titled, “Beyond borders, the Migrant Experience from Young Voices” that were featured on COPAL’s radio, Radio Jornalera. The episode included GFMD participants from other countries, including youth. This experience also guided how COPAL’s youth committee responded to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE’s campaign of fear in the Twin Cities. 

This project is a prime example of how connections across borders not only serve as educational experiences but can be moments of empowerment, where activists can feel the power of global resistance and feel renewed in their efforts. To learn more about COPAL visit their website here.