Madalena McNeil

Community Organizer

After years of organizing around political accountability, healthcare, immigration, labor, sexual violence, and public safety, I was arrested in August 2020 and charged with first-degree felony criminal mischief for allegedly purchasing paint used during a July 2020 protest against police brutality. These charges against me and my co-defendants put Salt Lake City in the international spotlight of a conversation about protest rights, overcriminalization, and mass incarceration.

After many years in the higher education and nonprofit sector, I lost my job two days after my arrest. I am now a full-time organizer, writer, and advocate continuing to work on elevating the issue of political repression, especially in the face of increased pushback on protests for Black lives and liberation.

“Full-time organizer” is, unsurprisingly, not a paid position. Please reach out with any paid inquiries and opportunities, and help me keep my lights on and my dog awash in Milkbones. Please also reach out with any unpaid inquiries or opportunities!

Writing Samples (via Medium)