Sunburnt & Stubborn: Arizona’s Weekly Activism Roundup
Your weekly guide to Arizona’s pro-democracy events and actions | Feb 1 - Feb 8, 2026
Welcome to your weekly guide to what’s happening around Arizona for people who care about democracy and community. If you only have a few minutes, scroll down to the Action Alerts for quick, high-impact ways to engage. If you have more time, What’s Happening This Week highlights trainings, mutual aid, and community events across the state. A lot is moving right now so let’s get going!
Here’s what’s coming up across Arizona in the days ahead organized by issue area and date so you can quickly find what fits your schedule.
Note: You can click on any event title to see more details and RSVP.
Civic Engagement & Legislative Transparency
CEBV Happy Hour – Come Learn About the AZ State Legislature
Hosted by Civic Engagement Beyond Voting | Sunday, February 1 | 4:00 PM | Virtual
This weekly happy hour runs throughout the legislative session and offers updates on bills moving through the Arizona Legislature, along with analysis of state and local political dynamics. Each session includes guest speakers and practical discussion about how regular people can stay engaged and influence what happens at the Capitol. These are fantastic meetings!
Climate & Environment
Stop the Gas Power Plant and Data Center Near the West Valley
Hosted by the Project Baccara Opposition Coalition | Wednesday, February 4 | 9:00 AM | Phoenix
A large gas power plant and data center is being proposed just outside the West Valley near Surprise, Waddell, and Glendale, and decisions are being made at the county and state level because the site is on unincorporated land. Community members are raising concerns about air quality, water use, noise, public safety, and impacts to nearby homes and schools, and the Arizona Corporation Commission will take up discussion on the project at a public meeting where public comments are part of the official record. Residents are encouraged to attend, submit a comment, or both!
Immigration Justice & Community Support
Local Art Auction to Benefit Voices United
Hosted by Voices United | Sunday, February 1 | 4:00–10:00 PM | Phoenix
Phoenix artists and activists are coming together for an evening of live performances, speakers, and a local art auction benefiting Voices United, an immigrant rights organization. The event is free to attend and raises funds to support communities impacted by immigration enforcement. If you can’t attend, click the title so you can still see the artwork!
Eyes on ICE: Document and Record Training
Hosted by Indivisible No Kings Coalition | Thursday, February 5 | 8:00 PM ET | Virtual
This virtual training focuses on how to safely and legally document ICE and other federal law enforcement activity. Organizers will cover individual rights, recent developments related to ICE operations, and how community members can continue to take action during a period of increased enforcement and violence.
Voting Rights & Democracy
Virtual Voter Registration Training
Hosted by Save Our Schools Arizona | Wednesday, February 4 | 6:00 PM | Virtual
This one-hour training walks participants through the basics of voter registration in Arizona. It’s designed for people with no prior experience who want to help neighbors register and participate in elections.
Education & Public Schools
All Risk, No Reward for Public Ed: What’s Ahead for the Federal Voucher Program
Hosted by Save Our Schools Arizona | Thursday, February 5 | 1:00 PM | Virtual
This webinar breaks down the federal tax-credit voucher program created under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and what it could mean for public education. Presenters will explain how the program works, what role states may (or may not) have, and the potential risks for students, schools, and communities if Arizona opts in.
Anti-Fascism & Public Protest
Signs Over the 60 | 7 Bridges, 1 Message Against Fascism
Hosted by East Valley Unite, The Maverick Zine, and partners | Saturday, February 7 | 1:00–3:00 PM | East Valley
This coordinated bridge action brings together seven individual bridge brigades to form one continuous message visible to drivers along the US-60. Organizers describe it as a collective, nonviolent show of opposition to fascism and authoritarianism, with details and sign-up information available online.
These actions are timely, high-impact, and quick. Challenge yourself to do them all if you are a baddie! :)
Call for the resignation of Jeremiah Cota from the Phoenix Union High School District School Board
Phoenix residents and allies are urging the resignation of Jeremiah Cota, a board member appointed by Maricopa County Superintendent Shelli Boggs, after he was photographed at a political event tied to groups with documented neo-Nazi and white supremacist connections. Community members are calling for accountability from a school board responsible for serving a diverse student population.Tribal leaders urge members to add a tribal designation to Arizona state IDs
Tribal leaders across Arizona are encouraging Native community members to apply for a new tribal designation on state-issued IDs through ADOT. Amid ongoing immigration raids and documented cases of Native people being swept up by ICE and CBP, some leaders say the designation may offer an added layer of safety and recognition.
Read more: https://www.kjzz.org/indigenous-affairs/2026-01-22/new-tribal-designation-on-arizona-ids-is-making-some-feel-safer-amid-ice-raidsStop the fast-tracked federal voucher bill (SB1142)
State Senator Shawnna Bolick has introduced SB1142, a bill designed to fast-track a federal voucher program through Arizona with minimal public scrutiny. Advocates are urging Arizonans to contact members of the Senate Finance Committee and demand a NO vote, arguing the bill would further drain funding from public schools.
Take action here: https://sosarizona.org/no-fed-vouchers/Paid voter registration fellowship for Democrats ages 18–29
The Arizona Democratic Party is participating in the DNC’s When We Count Fellowship, a paid, part-time program training young Democrats to register voters statewide. The program aims to close Arizona’s voter registration gap ahead of the 2026 midterms.Save the date: Workers Over Billionaires Nationwide Day of Action – May 1, 2026
Organizers are already preparing for a nationwide May Day action focused on workers’ rights and economic justice. Materials are available now for groups planning ahead, with more details expected closer to the date.Share printable banners: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SrKhgbweUw6wZ96UgGkxcVERb814751W/view
Video to build hype:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cww0VlAMlPddkhlnvtDLaAi0W0xuCIi6/view
Weigh in on legislation using RTS this week
The Arizona Legislature is in session, and many bills are being decided quietly in committee. Civic Engagement Beyond Voting publishes a weekly breakdown of bills being heard and how the public can provide input through the Request to Speak system.View this week’s guide: The CEBV Weekly!
As some of you may have heard, Dept of Homeland Security announced they have purchased property in Surprise, AZ to build a detention/processing center for immigrants. Local organizers with Northwest Valley Indivisible are calling on the Surprise City Council to reject any role in supporting or enabling ICE detention operations, including partnerships with private detention contractors. Advocates are also demanding transparency and full environmental, traffic, and infrastructure impact reviews before any decisions move forward.
Surprise residents are urged to speak at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 PM, while those who don’t live in Surprise are encouraged to show up for a peaceful protest outside City Hall during the meeting. The message organizers want the council to hear, repeatedly and on the record, is: NO ICE DETENTION IN SURPRISE.
Sign up to provide public comment: https://surpriseaz-services.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/24865
