Lucia Sandoval Canela is a first-generation queer Xicana from Michoacan, Mexico. She is a communicator and cultural organizer passionate about organizing with an intersectional lens to collectively create cultural shifts that move communities towards abolishing oppressive systems of criminalization. Lucia grew up in the Sonoran desert of Arizona, which is Tohono O'odham territory, where she worked extensively to change the narrative of migrants, indigenous, formerly or currently incarcerated communities of color through organizing, storytelling and the arts in her former role of communications director at Puente Human Rights Movement. She is currently based out of Zhigaagoong (Chicago) in Niswi-miskodewinan territory where she continues to support grassroots organizations.
In 2016, she played a key role in the communications strategy and implementation for the #BaztaArpaio campaign to unseat the racist sheriff of Maricopa County. Lucia also runs La Raiz Design and Multimedia, a collaborative space for her to work with movement builders, artists and organizers through media and design. She is currently based out of Zhigaagoong in Niswi-miskodewinan territory where she continues to support grassroots organizations.