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Liliana Rivera Baiman has worked to build progressive movements alongside workers and working families for over 18 years.
Born in rural San Luis Potosí, Mexico, she immigrated to the U.S. as a child. She has spent the totality of her career fighting for immigrant and worker justice, primarily as a union organizer and most recently around tenant union organizer.
In 2019 as a new mother, Liliana ran for Columbus City Council. A highlight of her campaign platform was the creation of truly affordable housing for working families, maintaining a support network for tenants, and putting an end to unnecessary tax abatements handed out to wealthy corporations at the expense of public schools.
She currently works at Defend and Recruit as a trainer supporting ICE defense groups all across the county and has recently started working as the Build the Base Director at the Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University.
Liliana lives on the south side with her husband Jeremy, son Dylan, and cat Moose.
Please Note: this episode was recorded before the ICE escalation in Columbus in December 2025.
Links and References
- Defend and Recruit: We Protect Us
- Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University
- Organizer and author Jane McAlevey
- Beloved Columbus organizer Rubén Castillo Herrera
- Ohio Capital Journal: ICE arrested Over 280 in one week in Columbus, December 2025
- Resources: Ohio Immigrant Aliance | CRIS | Community Response Hub | 614 ICE Watch
- Abolish Rent: A book about tenant organizing and thr housing crisis
