Magali is a full-time organizer with LCV’s GreenRoots program in Phoenix, working to mobilize LCV members to knock on doors, make phone calls, and connect with voters in support of pro-environment candidates up and down the ballot. She is a first generation immigrant who came to the U.S. when she was two years old. Despite not being able to vote herself, she is passionate and dedicated to working to amplify the voices of Arizonans and empower her community. 

Magali has witnessed firsthand the lasting and devastating consequences of decisions made by extreme MAGA state legislators on her Arizona community. Over the last several years, she has seen Republican legislators attempt to block expansion of a light rail system that was approved by local leaders and constituents voted for. Additionally, she watched as Arizona Republicans blocked investment in public education, transportation, and infrastructure, and voted against protections for women’s health. Magali realized that raising her voice and encouraging others in her community to do the same was one way she could hold politicians accountable for the consequences of their decisions.

In addition to frustration with her local politicians, Magali’s interest in politics and environmental justice stems from being undocumented for much of her life, and the fact that many immigrants, documented and otherwise, are refugees from the climate crisis.

“I got involved because I was undocumented for most of my life. A lot of our immigrants are refugees from the climate crisis itself. So environmentalism and immigration go hand in hand,” she said.

Magali has now been involved in electoral politics for 12 years, and has worked on several campaigns with LCV over the years. During this election cycle’s primary elections, she volunteered with Democratic House candidate Raquel Teran’s primary campaign. At the time, she was also facing a hostile and violent work environment at her day job as a machine operator. She feared for her safety and experienced severe anxiety about going to work. During a volunteer shift on Teran’s campaign, Magali met longtime activist and labor lawyer Daniel Ortega, who reminded her of the impact her contribution to the campaign could have.

“He told me, ‘I’m glad that you’re here, because believe it or not, one person does make the difference,’” she recalls.

These words left an impression on Magali. The opportunity to make positive change in her community, as well as the support she received from the Teran campaign, inspired her to begin organizing full time. This also provided an opportunity to leave her unsafe workplace.

She is now working with the GreenRoots LCV team supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and Ruben Gallego’s U.S. Senate bid by recruiting LCV members to volunteer. Magali is thrilled to be part of such a historic election and says the best part about the work she does is being able to “channel [her] anger about current environmental policy into something productive.”

Despite her anger and frustration, Magali has an unwaveringly positive attitude about the future. 

“I am optimistic about the future because I am certain that the more power our community has, the more we will protect ourselves through environmental justice,” she said. “I look forward to a better future, with safer and cleaner neighborhoods for our families… We’re going to make so much history and I’m very excited about it. It’s not the time to stay on the sidelines because it’s not the time to lose.”