As a Mexican American, Ariela has a deep connection to her community in San Leonardo and her extended family in Oaxaca, Mexico. Since she was 14 years old, Ariela has been a community organizer with Sunrise Movement to raise awareness about the climate crisis, educate students, and urge those in power to take meaningful action.  

Living in an immigrant and marginalized community in California, Ariela has faced environmental discrimination. At times, thick and heavy wildfire smoke fills the sky, and Ariela and her classmates have been forced to attend school and breathe hazardous air quality while schools in wealthier areas close. Ariela faces extreme heat waves with no air conditioning at home or school. On days of extreme heat and wildfires, opening windows is not safe, making those days unbearable for Ariela. 

Ariela began experiencing extreme weather events as a child while visiting her family in Oaxaca. Intense storms and floods have demolished crops that sustain her family, community, and cultural traditions in Mexico. Ariela has foregone parts of her childhood to fight for a livable future and hopes her lawsuit can do just that.