Sunburnt & Stubborn: Arizona's Weekly Activism Roundup

Greetings and welcome, all! This week’s Sunburnt & Stubborn newsletter covers easy and engaging opportunities for our pro-democracy residents to get involved locally. If you have only a few minutes, then I recommend scrolling down to the Action Alerts for quick impactful activities. If you have more time and want to get involved in mutual aid, protests, or community events, then check out What’s Coming Up. Each action matters so please plug in where it feels right for you this week!

Here’s what’s coming up across Arizona in the days ahead organized by date so you can quickly find what fits your schedule.

Note: Click on any event title to see more details and RSVP!

Tuesday, February 10

Fuerte’s Canvassing Action: Voices at the Doors | 4:00 PM | Phoenix
Fuerte Arts Movement is knocking doors in CD1. Meet at Renegade Coffee Company (1912 W Northern Ave, Phoenix) to connect with neighbors, share updates, and collect surveys about how decisions are affecting the community. Training, materials, and buddy pairing provided for first-time canvassers. Snacks included.

East Valley Rapid Response Training | 6:00 PM | East Valley
Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement are hosting a bilingual training to prepare volunteers to monitor ICE activity, support individuals at risk of detention, and help keep families together. The training covers Migra Watch verification, solidarity accompaniment, and rapid response protocols. Learn to observe, verify, accompany, and report safely and effectively.

Volunteer Child Advocate Information Session | 6:30 PM | Virtual
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is holding a national information session. Child Advocates volunteer to spend time with and advocate for individual unaccompanied immigrant children in deportation proceedings. The session covers the role of the advocate, clearance and training requirements, and next steps in the application process. Bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish or another language are especially needed.

Wednesday, February 11

SRP Postcard Writing Event | 11:30 AM | Fate Brewing Company Phoenix
Desert Democracy needs volunteers to address postcards for the April 7 Salt River Project Board election. The elected candidate will influence electric prices, solar policy, water practices, and power plant policy. And Turning Point USA is trying to capture the board. Only qualified homeowners can vote, and many don’t know they’re eligible. Come help inform voters and register them to receive ballots. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Goodyear GATHER: Protecting Public Education in Arizona | 6:00 PM | Goodyear
GATHER Goodyear and Save Our Schools Arizona are hosting an in-person conversation featuring education advocates Alicia Lucas and Kristin Roberts. They’ll break down Arizona’s public school funding crisis, explain how voucher policies are impacting local schools, and share concrete ways to support public education through advocacy and community engagement. Dr. Terry Leyba Ruiz, candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, will join the conversation.

LGBTQ Dems of Maricopa Monthly Meeting | 7:00 PM | Virtual
The Maricopa County Democratic Party is hosting the monthly LGBTQ Democrats meeting. Join like-minded LGBTQ Democrats to discuss current issues impacting the community, discover upcoming events, and consider volunteering. This virtual meeting happens every second Wednesday of the month and requires registration through both Zoom and Mobilize due to the sensitive nature of the business discussed.

Thursday, February 12

Civics Series: Law Enforcement & Court System | 6:30 PM | Virtual
Civic Engagement Beyond Voting is offering a virtual training covering local law enforcement in Arizona, the state court system, and your role as a voter in selecting and retaining judges. Lots of time for questions.

Reimagining the Purpose of Education to Sustain Democracy | 7:30 PM | Virtual
Public School Strong is hosting a virtual workshop featuring bestselling author Shane Safir and co-authors Marlo Bagsik, Dr. Sawsan Jaber, Dr. Crystal M. Watson, and Dr. Rebecca Eunmmi Haslam. This 90-minute session explores best practices for educators and school leaders building school communities that protect and strengthen public education in the current political landscape. The format includes presentations and small group breakout discussions.

Friday, February 13

How to Help Your Local Government Stop Buying from Amazon | Virtual | 12 pm
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is hosting a virtual briefing on Amazon’s capture of local public dollars. The session is geared for procurement professionals, community advocates, and local/state policymakers and covers how to file public records requests, assess what you get back, propose alternatives, and advocate for change. Learn how Amazon uses dubious contract terms and algorithmic pricing to eliminate local suppliers and drive up costs for cities and school districts.

Saturday, February 14

Sahuarita Valentine’s Day Rally | 9:30 AM | Sahuarita
Sahuarita Democrats & Independents are holding a “We Love Our Country” rally at the corner of Fry’s Marketplace on Sahuarita Road, just east of I-19. Show up and be visible. This group meets every second Saturday at the same time and place. No RSVP needed.

Crochet Sleeping Mats for Neighbors in Need | 10:00 AM | Mesa
The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix is hosting a crafting session at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 West Rio Salado Parkway). Volunteers turn plastic grocery bags into crocheted sleeping mats for people who must sleep on the groun. Each mat takes 500-700 bags and measures 6 feet by 2.5 feet. You can make plarn (plastic yarn), crochet the mats, or learn other fabric crafts like heat relief bandanas and water bottle koozies. Families encouraged, hooks available, bring your own beverage and snacks to share if you’d like. Completed mats are donated to the Human Services Campus monthly.

These actions are timely, high-impact, and quick. Challenge yourself to do them all if you are especially motivated!

• Tell your state legislators to keep ICE out of public schools. ICE raids and surveillance connected to schools are driving fear into classrooms and forcing attendance to drop. Arizona’s legislature has the authority to ban ICE from school grounds, block cooperation with raids, and protect student records from being used to target families. Send a message now. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-state-lawmakers-to-keep-ice-out-of-public-schools
• Pledge your support for ESA voucher reform. On February 6, a coalition led by the Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona filed ballot language for an initiative to bring accountability, transparency, and safety standards to Arizona’s $1 billion voucher program while recovering funds for public schools. The legislature could pass these reforms tomorrow but has refused for three years. Pledge to support this effort if it moves forward.
• Demand your representative support the We the People Amendment (H.J.Res.54). This constitutional amendment declares that rights belong to human beings (not corporations) and that money is not speech. It has support from over 80% of Americans across party lines, but Congress continues to delay. Send a message to your elected officials demanding they cosponsor and advance this amendment.
• Know your rights when interacting with ICE. Governor Hobbs’ office launched a new website detailing constitutional rights for all Arizonans, regardless of immigration status. The site provides information about your rights and responsibilities when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during civil immigration enforcement activities. Here is the website: https://knowyourrights.az.gov/

Shoutout to the nearly 1,000 community members who showed up at the Surprise City Council last Tuesday to oppose the newly purchased ICE detention center. Residents delivered testimony, asked questions, and demanded council members stop ICE from operating a detention center.

Now we’re calling on our committed perpetual thorns (YOU! 😁🫵🏼) to focus attention on the City of Phoenix, which is crafting policies around ICE enforcement without public input. If you’re moved to act, show up and share how this impacts you and what you want to see in their policies.