Madalena McNeil is an organizer, activist, and writer based in Salt Lake City, UT. They are working on topics of government accountability, political education, community-building, and all of the various issues that go into those — political repression, police brutality, gun violence, educational inequity, food justice, income inequality, indigenous liberation, climate change, workers rights, voter suppression, and more. Some of you are here because in August 2020, they were arrested and charged with a first-degree felony for allegedly buying paint that was used in a protest against police brutality, and a third-degree felony for allegedly “shifting their weight” in a way an officer found threatening. These charges made international news for their severity, and the not-so-subtle message they sent to other protestors about how far the legal system is willing to go to silence dissent. Their co-defendants and they joined a national wave of peaceful protestors charged with felony crimes. After a few weeks, their charges and those of their co-defendants were reduced, but they are still facing third-degree felony charges for the simple act of allegedly purchasing paint. Their co-defendants, some as young as 18, are facing their own felonies for peaceful protest — and for many of them, the process has been punishment in and of itself. They lost their job two days after their arrest, and themselves and other co-defendants have struggled to find additional work due to their pending charges. Their situation has been additionally complicated by their high visibility in the media; part of a strategic move to elevate their story and influence change, but one with significant consequences for them as an individual. With the loss of their job coupled with significant physical and mental health concerns, they are working on pursuing income through part-time employment and freelance work. For years, they have been involved in community organizing and local politics, with an increasing focus toward organizing and community-building. They are deeply committed to continuing to create free educational content for their community, but they’ve also got a mortgage and prescriptions and bills to pay. Because of the nature of capitalism, there is quite a lot of community work they would like to do that they simply can’t because they don’t have enough financial stability. Their goal for this Patreon is to be able to generate resources that go right back into their community.
Find Madalena McNeil online:
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/utahmads
