Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) unequivocally condemns all forms of political violence, whether physical or verbal aggression, state-driven repression, or any other acts of violence intended to intimidate, coerce, or harm individuals for political gain. Such violence undermines democratic values and destabilizes societies, making it essential to reaffirm our commitment to peaceful, inclusive, and just political processes.
As advocates for popular democracy, COPAL stands for a political system in which the power to make decisions and govern is vested directly in the people. Popular democracy emphasizes broad participation and the direct involvement of the people in the political process, free from violence, disenfranchisement, and corporate influence.
Many of us have left our home countries to escape political violence and seek a better, more dignified life where we can have a real voice and control over our futures. Unfortunately, we now witness similar challenges emerging in the United States, where increased political violence is a result of deepening polarization and societal divisions. These factors have contributed to a cycle of escalating violent actions and unrest.
COPAL stands firm against all forms of political violence and champions a popular democracy where the decisions made truly reflect the needs, wills, and dreams of its people, ensuring every individual can exercise their voice and shape their own future.
COPAL Education Fund is a statewide, 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization that works to build collective power, transform systems, and create opportunities for Latines to have dignified lives in Minnesota. For more information, please visit www.copalmn.org.