We the People is a monthly feature uplifting amd sharing the stories of ACLU-MN members, supporters, volunteers, and allies doing critical work in Minnesota (and beyond) to protect and advance civil liberties. Andrea Duarte-Alonso is a 21-year-old from Worthington, Minnesota, who joined the ACLU-MN on a trip to Washington, D.C., in June for the ACLU Membership Conference. 

When did you first learn about the ACLU and why did you want to get involved? 

I first heard about ACLU when I saw a Twitter post that went viral on police brutality in Worthington, Minnesota. Since then I've been following their every move to see accountability taking place, as well as staying in touch with the fight for justice in local, state, and national communities on different issues such as immigration, criminal justice, etc.   

How does the ACLU and our work relate to you personally? What issues do you feel the most connected to?

I plan to become an immigration lawyer and all the work the ACLU is doing about the executive orders on immigration under the Trump administration makes me hope that there will be change coming. 

What issues did you get inspired about taking action on at the conference? What are you hoping to bring back here to Minnesota?

The ACLU conference was an incredible time of learning, meeting new people, and feeling empowered for what young folks can do and have been doing. I was inspired by the ACLU's constant reminder of registering people to vote and going out to vote. Now that I'm back in Minnesota, I hope to leverage a conversation surrounding voting rights and how to vote. It's very difficult to vote if one does not know why they should vote or how to vote. 

Know someone you think should be featured in our We the People series? Send an e-mail to akhan@aclu-mn.org with more information!