COPAL | Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina

Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) formed in January 2018. COPAL’s mission is to unite Latinxs in Minnesota in active grassroots communal democracy that builds racial, gender, social and economic justice across community lines.

We are experiencing difficult and uncertain times with the arrival of COVID-19. Some members of our community have lost their jobs, others need food or access to health insurance. To support our community in these difficult times, COPAL has created the Navigators program in collaboration with CAPI USA. If you or someone you know needs help during this time, please contact us.

Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) Programs:

ENVIRONMENT: COPAL aims to create an environmental future that is sustainable for frontline communities. We created a unique framework in order to draw the connection between the climate crisis and forced migration from Central America to the United States.

EDUCATION: COPAL is organizing with parents of students attending Minneapolis Public Schools to increase the graduation rate among Latinx students.

IMMIGRATION:
– Offers a Spanish-language citizenship class to create Latinx political power at the ballot box
– Engages in key legislative battles like Driver’s Licenses for All
– Has made TPS advocacy part of its core programming, mobilizing its members to fight for and win a one-year TPS extension
– Engages in actions to safeguard DACA

LEADERSHIP: COPAL infuses volunteer leadership throughout its campaigns, so members are encouraged to inquire about opportunities to shape COPAL’s work and contribute to a vision that improves the lives of Latinxs and Communities of Color across Minnesota. In addition, COPAL is working to create a comprehensive leadership training in partnership with United for a Fair Economy.

Since launching, the organization has grown to include 10 staff members, a base of 150+ volunteers, and over 12,000 supporters across the state.