St. Paul, MN – On Monday, March 10, 2025, COPAL MN hosted its annual Day at the Capitol, a profound gathering that brought together Latine communities from across Minnesota for a day of celebration, advocacy, and direct action. The event provided an opportunity for community members to engage with elected officials, make their voices heard, and advocate for a legislative agenda that reflects the needs and aspirations of immigrant and Latine communities.
The Capitol Rotunda buzzed with energy and determination on Monday morning as people gathered for the Orgullo y Poder Rally. The event included Bomba performances by Tearra Oso, Ra Cole, Sensae Da Waelaah, and Alexis Santos, presenting a traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance form that blends rhythm, movement, and storytelling. The performances were followed by powerful speeches from local leaders.
Following the rally, attendees participated in meetings with legislators to advocate for policies around key issues, including Education, Environmental Justice, Healthcare for All, Immigration Reform, Housing, and Dignity for Workers.
“Today, we came together not only to celebrate our culture and our resilience, but to hold our elected officials accountable. Our communities deserve policies that promote justice, and we will continue to advocate for policies that allow our communities to lead dignified lives,” said Ryan Pérez, Organizing Director at COPAL.
“We’re here to demand a future built on justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. Today, we are uplifting our legislative agenda for 2025,” said Carolina Ortiz, Associate Executive Director at COPAL. “…walking into those offices, having conversations with our legislators, sharing our stories, and making sure they understand the urgency of the issues we face.”
COPAL’s Day at the Capitol was a significant step in advancing the organization’s legislative agenda, which reflects the priorities of Minnesota’s Latine communities. COPAL continues to advocate for policies that ensure all people have the opportunity to live with dignity.
See photos from the event here.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Wendy Zuñiga | WendyZ@copalmn.org
Rosie Thale | RosieT@copalmn.org
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About COPAL MN
COPAL MN is a member-based organization founded in 2018 that seeks to improve the quality of life for Latine communities in Minnesota by building collective power, transforming systems, and creating opportunities for a dignified life. For more information, visit www.copalmn.org.
