Imperial Valley native joins ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of San Diego and Imperial Counties (SDIC) announced that an Imperial Valley native will be joining its staff.

Crystal Quezada will serve as ACLU SDIC’s Senior Community Advocate in Imperial County and will increase the civil rights organization’s presence in the region and strengthen relationships with the community, partner organizations and grassroots groups.

“We are extremely proud to welcome Crystal to the ACLU team,” said Norma Chavez-Peterson, executive director of the ACLU SDIC. “As a native of the Imperial Valley with extensive legislative experience, Crystal is uniquely qualified to give voice to the many urgent civil rights concerns in the region.”

Born in El Centro and raised in Calexico, Quezada graduated from Calexico High School. She attended Imperial Valley College before transferring to Sacramento State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in government.

Before joining the ACLU in January, Quezada served for five years as California Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber’s legislative director. She brings more than ten years of experience in state legislative affairs and significant expertise in policy advocacy and analysis.

“After many years working at the state capitol, I feel this is the right moment to return to my roots and community as an advocate for civil rights and social justice,” Quezada said. “I look forward to collaborating with civic and community leaders in the Imperial Valley to improve the lives of all residents. And I can’t think of a better organization with which to work than the ACLU.”

In addition to her legislative experience, Quezada has served as a guest speaker for the Imperial Valley Migrant Education’s Young Latinas Leadership program in El Centro. She was also a coordinator for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Scholars Internship program in Sacramento.

Quezada will spend most of her time working from Imperial County.