Sunburnt & Stubborn: Arizona's Weekly Activism Roundup | May 11-17, 2026

Welcome to Arizona Advocacy Hub, a free weekly roundup of civic actions, alerts, and events for Progressive Arizonans.

This week we're featuring 17 events across the state and 7 action alerts. Two worth flagging right now: Surprise city officials still haven't disclosed whether they signed a confidentiality agreement over the ICE detention facility near Dysart High School — Northwest Valley Indivisible is asking everyone to file a public records request to find out. And the Protect Education Act petition has nine weekends left to reach 256,000 signatures for the November ballot. Both are detailed in the action alerts below.

We've got a full week ahead. Check out all the cool goings-on, pick one that feeds your soul, and jump in!

Civic Engagement & Democracy

May 12 | Webinar: No Accountability, No Transparency — Risks of SGOs Under the Federal Voucher Program | Public Funds Public Schools / Education Law Center | 11:00 AM MT | Online. This webinar examines how Scholarship Granting Organizations under Trump's federal voucher scheme lack adequate accountability, transparency, and anti-discrimination protections, and why states should reject the program. Panelists include researchers from ITEP, the League of Women Voters of Florida, and True North Research.

May 12 | Phone Bank: Help Federal-Ballot Only Voters Become Full Ballot Voters | Arizona Democratic Party / coalition voter protection | 2:00 PM | Online. Virtual phone bank calling registered Democrats currently on Arizona's Federal-Ballot Only list — meaning they can vote in federal races but not state, local, or ballot proposition races. Volunteers help callers understand how to file citizenship documentation with their County Recorder to restore full voting rights before the July 21 primary.

May 12 | Civics Series: Ballot Measures | Civic Engagement Beyond Voting | 6:30 PM | Online. Virtual training on citizen-led ballot measures — how Arizonans can have a direct say in which laws are made or repealed at the local and state level. Plenty of time for questions. Free; organizers ask you to consider a $5–$10 donation after registering.

May 13 | Send Postcards to Unregistered Voters | Desert Democracy Phoenix | 11:30 AM | Phoenix. Postcard-writing event to reach unregistered voters and encourage them to register before the July 21 primary. Field Team 6 provides addresses, scripts, and materials. Stamps helpful but not required.

May 13 | Voting! When? Where? How? — Voter Education with the LWV | League of Women Voters | 5:30 PM | Location provided upon registration. Voter education session on changes to Arizona voting laws in 2026, including the new primary date. Covers how to register and what's changed. Two ballot initiative petitions available to sign on-site: Save Our Schools AZ and Protect the Vote AZ. Light snacks and water provided.

Immigration & ICE

May 14 | Neighborhood Defense Training | Organized Power in Numbers | 5:00 PM | Online. Virtual training on how to canvass your community to prepare neighbors and local businesses in case of an ICE raid. Held the second Thursday of each month. Register even if you can't attend — a recording and materials will be emailed to you.

May 16 | North Phoenix Adopt a Day Labor Corner Training | NDLON | 6:00 PM | North Phoenix. Workshop on how to show up nonviolently at day labor corners where workers gather, as ICE sightings and arrests increase in the Phoenix area. Designed for community members not at risk of deportation who want to provide a protective presence. Covers nonviolent direct action principles and how to build a sustainable corner presence.

Protests & Visibility

May 11 | Stand Up for Upholding the Law and Constitution | Local Indivisibles | 7:30 AM | Federal Courthouse, Yuma. Daily courthouse presence — signs, one-on-one conversations with court employees and visitors, and a steady commitment to visibility. Organizer has been doing this for 45 weeks. Join for a day or make it a habit.

May 16 | Exercise Your Rights Community Event | Fountain Hills Independent Indivisible | 8:00 AM | Saguaro Blvd & Shea Blvd, Fountain Hills. Weekly visibility event at the intersection of Saguaro and Shea. Bring signs on ICE, anti-war, healthcare, climate, and democracy. Find nearby parking before you arrive.

May 16 | Peaceful Resistance to Fascism Rally | Indivisible | 12:00 PM | 4th Ave & 16th St. Recurring Saturday and Wednesday noon rally. Show up when you can, stay as long as you can. Nonviolent — all participants expected to de-escalate any potential confrontation.

May 17 | Cottonwood Corner Sunday Protests | Camp Verde Indivisible / Verde Valley United Coalition | 2:00 PM | SR 89A & SR 260, Cottonwood. Weekly peaceful protest at the SR 89A and SR 260 intersection. Bring signs, water, and voices. Cooling stations and limited shade available; dress for the weather. Donuts and coffee may be provided. Focused on healthcare, democracy, and workers over billionaires.

Education

May 16 | Northwest Valley Day of Action — Public Education Canvass | Gen Z Political Action Table / NW Valley coalition | 9:00 AM | NW Valley. Coalition canvass to build support for pro-public education school board and legislative candidates. Covers LD27 / Peoria Unified, LD2 / Deer Valley Unified, and the Pine District (Peoria City Council). Brief training and turf distribution on-site. Open to first-time and experienced canvassers.

Healthcare

May 14 | NWVI Monthly Meeting: Guest Speaker from Arizona Medicare for All Coalition | Northwest Valley Indivisible | 6:00 PM | Location provided upon RSVP. NWVI's monthly general meeting features a guest speaker from the Arizona Medicare for All Coalition on their work and the future of Medicare in Arizona. Seating is limited — RSVP to secure your spot.

Climate & Environment

May 14 | Sharing Stories of Resilience: Climate Migration Workshop | AZ AANHPI | 6:00 PM | Location provided upon registration. Environmental justice workshop exploring the connection between climate change and migration. Participants hear from community members whose lives have been shaped by climate displacement and share their own lived experiences. Part of AZ AANHPI's ongoing environmental justice programming. AZ AANHPI stands for: Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity Coalition.

Housing

May 16 | Tucson's Priced Out — Tenant Townhall | Our Voice Our Vote | 10:00 AM | Tucson. Community conversation on the housing crisis for renters, neighbors, advocates, and local leaders. Combines storytelling, political education, and open dialogue with elected officials and housing decision-makers. Open to anyone directly impacted by housing costs or who cares about Tucson's future.

Community & Culture

May 11 | Songs That Write Wrongs Open Jam Night | Fuerte Arts Movement | 6:30 PM | Testal, Phoenix. Bi-weekly open jam session centered on poetry, music, and storytelling as advocacy. This gathering will rehearse music from the Singing Resistance Songbook. Includes a short popular education teaching moment on a rotating theme — immigration, housing, climate, or healthcare — followed by creative expression. Bring your voice, your instrument, or just yourself. Food available; sound system provided.

May 13 | AANHPI Heritage Month Film Screening: Minari | AZ AANHPI | 6:00 PM | Location provided upon registration. Screening of Minari (2021), which follows a South Korean family navigating economic struggle and belonging in rural America. Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture. Community discussion follows — all are welcome to stay and talk.

• File a Public Records Request with Surprise City: Did Officials Sign an NDA with ICE/GardaWorld? Despite months of packed City Council meetings and an AG lawsuit, Surprise officials have not taken meaningful action on the ICE detention facility at 13290 W. Sweetwater. Northwest Valley Indivisible is asking everyone to file a public records request asking whether elected officials signed a confidentiality agreement with GardaWorld, ICE, or DHS. Visit surpriseaz.gov/RecordsRequest, create a free account, and submit the provided request text.
• Tell AZ Lawmakers to Keep ICE Out of Schools. ICE enforcement activity and related legislation threaten to bring immigration enforcement into Arizona's public school environment. Use the direct action tool to contact Arizona legislators and demand they protect schools as safe spaces for all students.
• Fight the GOP Reconciliation Bill: $70B for ICE & Trump's Ballroom. Republicans released the text of a reconciliation bill to fund ICE, CBP, and a $1 billion White House ballroom renovation, with no cost-of-living relief. Call Republican members of Congress to oppose the bill, email Democratic members to mount a fierce campaign against it, and join a phonebank targeting voters in red districts.
• Urge Congress to Support Clean Energy Tax Credits. Republicans' reconciliation bill accelerated the phaseout of clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits. Two bipartisan bills — the Cheap Energy Act and the American Energy Dominance Act — would restore them. Contact your members of Congress in support.
• Sign the Protect Education, Accountability Now! Petition — 9 Weekends Left. The AZGOP budget cuts public education spending by over $167 million while leaving the $1 billion ESA voucher hole untouched. The Protect Education Act needs 256,000 signatures in 9 weekends to make the November 2026 ballot. Find a signing location or pick up petitions at a depot near you.
• Tell Congress to Overturn the VA Abortion Ban for Veterans. The VA has banned abortion care for veterans. Common Defense is calling on Congress to overturn this policy and restore healthcare access for veterans.
• Write a Letter to the Editor: Fund Schools, Not ICE. With the AZGOP budget cutting public education funding while leaving ESA voucher spending untouched, Secular AZ is calling on Arizonans to submit letters to the editor making the case for funding public schools over ICE. A draft letter is provided — send it as-is or personalize it for your local paper.

Thanks for being here and I'll see you next week, patriots!

Sunburnt & Stubborn is produced by June @ Arizona Advocacy Hub. All politics is local. So is the resistance.