Zaira

Zaira Emiliana Livier is a Mexican-born human rights activist, writer, story teller, and abolitionist. She grew up on the Southside of Tucson where she settled in the mid-1990s with her undocumented family. Zaira began her journey as an organizer while studying Neuroscience and Philosophy at the University of Arizona where she founded groups like Progressive Minds of America and Latinas for Bernie.

Currently, Zaira serves as executive director for People’s Defense Initiative, a grassroots, anti-capitalist organization that she co-founded in 2018 as a community defense front against repressive policies and structures. In line with their “Sanctuary for All” mission, the PDI collective has led campaigns and programs such as the Tucson Sanctuary initiative, Feeding Those Who Feed Us, and the Tucson Tenants Union. Previously, Zaira has organized with LUPE Tucson and Jobs With Justice along the intersection of migrant rights and labor. She is most passionate about mutual aid systems, building collective power, and traveling/exploring. When she’s not organizing, she’s hiking, listening to music, or spending time with friends and family.