activism

Sunburnt & Stubborn: Weekly Activism Roundup | Feb 23 - Mar 1

AZ Advocacy Hub

22 Feb 2026 — 9 min read

Welcome, fellow desert-dwelling resisters! We're back with another week's worth of ways to support pro-democracy efforts across the state. If you've only got a few minutes, the Action Alerts at the bottom are your best bet for fast and impactful actions. If you've got more time to give, What's Coming Up is packed with protests, rapid response trainings, and community events worth your attention. No matter which route you choose, thanks for being here and plugging in!

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.

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Note: Click on event titles to see more details and RSVP.

Civic Engagement & Democracy

Tuesday, February 24 | Request To Speak (RTS) for Advanced Users | 6:30 PM | Virtual: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting is hosting a training for experienced Request to Speak users who want to go deeper — think custom bill-tracking lists and using the system for serious legislative research. If you're still getting the hang of RTS basics, check out one of CEBV's Monday night trainings first. This one's for the power users.

Thursday, February 26 | Civics Series: AZ Politics — An Incomplete History | 6:30 PM | Virtual: Ever asked yourself why Arizona politics is the way it is? Civic Engagement Beyond Voting has the training for you. This virtual deep-dive into the state's history and political roots includes plenty of time for questions — and it's free to attend. Consider donating $5–$10 after you register to help CEBV keep it that way.

Sunday, March 1 | CEBV Happy Hour: AZ Legislative Session Update | 4:00 PM | Virtual: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting's weekly Legislative Happy Hour is the best way to stay sharp on what's moving at the Capitol. Every week during session, CEBV breaks down current bills, state and local politics, and brings in expert guests to help you understand the landscape — and what you can actually do about it.

Education

Thursday, February 26 | The Real Impact of Vouchers on Public Schools | 5:30 PM AZ | Virtual: SOSAZ and Red Wine & Blue are hosting a frank conversation about what school voucher expansion is actually doing to public education — told by people in Florida and Arizona who have felt it firsthand. Tax dollars are leaving public schools with little transparency or accountability, and this event makes the case for why that has to change.

Immigration & ICE Resistance

Monday, February 23 | CD1 Protest at Schweikert's Office | 8:00 AM | Scottsdale: Indivisible Arizona is back for another consecutive Monday outside Rep. David Schweikert's office, peacefully demanding that their representative actually show up for his constituents. Bring a sign focused on healthcare, jobs, education, or SNAP — and consider bringing non-perishable food or personal care items for the MoveOn-sponsored food drive, which has already collected three tons for the Scottsdale Foodbank.

Monday, February 23 | ICE Out of Mesa — City Council Action | 5:30 PM | Mesa (Address Shared Upon Registration): LUCHA is mobilizing community members to show up every other Monday before Mesa City Council meetings and demand an end to the city's 287(g) agreement with ICE. Families are being ripped apart, and residents are drawing a hard line: Mesa should not be using community tax dollars to carry out Project 2025. Sign up to get the location.

Tuesday, February 24 | Rapid Response Training — ASU Campus | 6:00 PM | ASU Campus: Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement are equipping volunteers with the skills to protect their neighbors from ICE. This collaborative training covers Migra Watch, Solidarity Accompaniment, and Rapid Response — so you'll know how to monitor ICE activity, support people at risk of detention, and help keep families together, safely and effectively.

Wednesday, February 25 | Rapid Response Training | 6:00 PM | Phoenix - Location Shared Upon Registration: Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement are offering a second Rapid Response Training this week for those who missed Tuesday. The two-hour session teaches volunteers how to observe, verify, accompany, and report ICE activity — rooted in community solidarity and focused on keeping families together.

Wednesday, February 25 | Know Your Rights: Law & Immigration Enforcement | 6:00 PM | Virtual: LUCHA ACE, Marcos Law, and community partners are hosting an in-depth Know Your Rights training covering your legal rights when interacting with state, local, and federal immigration enforcement. This is essential, practical knowledge for every Arizonan right now — share it widely.

Saturday, February 28 | ICE OUT for Good — No ICE Detention in Surprise | 9:00 AM | Bell Road & Civic Center Drive, Surprise: Northwest Valley Indivisible is showing up every Saturday to oppose the massive ICE detention facility planned for Surprise. Join them at Bell Rd. and Civic Center Dr. to call on Rep. Abe Hamadeh, Rep. Paul Gosar, and Surprise City Council to publicly stand against a facility that threatens the rights and safety of the entire community. Bring signs, bring water, and park on the south side of Bell Rd.

Saturday, February 28 | ICE OUT FOR GOOD: We Stand with Our Neighbors | 11:00 AM | Carefree Highway Overpass, Phoenix: Anthem Indivisible Arizona is taking the overpass to stand in visible, peaceful solidarity with immigrant neighbors. Arrive by 10:45 AM at the Chili's parking lot at 34710 N North Valley Parkway — rides to the overpass will be available. Bring a creative sign, wear sunscreen, and prepare to make some noise for dignity and human rights until 1:00 PM.

Saturday, February 28 | Ice Out Now Rally | 12:00 PM | Navajo County - Location Shared Upon Registration: Navajo County Indivisible Community is bringing the resistance to northeastern Arizona. The message is unambiguous: enough murders, enough illegal detaining. Community members are showing up to assert their rights and demand accountability from ICE. Sign up to get the location.

Organizing & Direct Action

Wednesday, February 25 | Nonviolent Direct Action Training | 5:00 PM | Location Sent Closer to Event: Worker Power, Progress Arizona, Repro Power for All, and coalition partners are hosting an in-person training rooted in the legacy of movement builders like Reverend James M. Lawson. This interactive session covers strategy, group dynamics, creative protest methods, and how to stay grounded and safe during action. Whether you're brand new to organizing or sharpening your edge, this is the training for this moment.

Climate & Environment

Thursday, February 25 | Power Up the Vote with SRP Clean Energy — District 8 Phone Bank | 6:00 PM | Virtual: Tempe Rising Indivisible is calling friendly, values-aligned voters to make sure they know they can vote in the SRP Board election — and how to request a mail-in ballot. Most homeowners don't even know this election exists, which is exactly the problem. Training and scripts are provided; no experience needed. This phone bank runs every Thursday.

Saturday, February 28 | Arizona We Deserve Hike on South Mountain | 7:30 AM | Ridgeline/Javelina Loop Trailhead: LUCHA ACE is hitting the trail on South Mountain for a 3.6-mile community hike that's equal parts exercise and organizing. The group meets at 7:30 AM and launches at 8:00 AM sharp to talk environmental protection, population growth, and what the Arizona we all deserve actually looks like. Bring water, snacks, trail shoes — and an extra snack to share with a new friend.

Saturday, February 28 | People Against Polluters Anti-Uranium Extraction Rally | 1:00 PM | Flagstaff City Hall Lawn: The Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter is rallying in Flagstaff to demand the continued closure of the Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine. Uranium mining is poisoning water, land, wildlife, and communities across northern Arizona — and corporate polluters are now threatening the regional protections that stand in their way. Show up from 1:00–3:00 PM and make clear that Arizona's land is not for sale!

These actions are timely, high-impact, and quick. Challenge yourself to do them all for a burst of civic pride! 😸

Demand Your Rep Support the Abolish Super PACs Act (H.R.2352). Super PACs have spent decades letting billionaires drown out real voters with unlimited, often anonymous cash. H.R.2352 caps PAC donations at $5,000 per person, closes coordination loopholes, and starts restoring electoral integrity. A NYT/CBS poll found 78% of Americans across party lines support this — Congress just needs to hear from you. Send your message here: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/825590/
Submit a Letter to the Editor: Fund Schools, Not ICE. Congress keeps pouring billions into ICE while public schools are cutting counselors, support staff, and classroom resources. This is a choice — and it's time to say so loudly in your local paper. Public School Strong has a draft letter ready to go that you can send as-is or personalize. Make the demand public: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fund-schools-not-ice-submit-a-letter-to-the-editor/
Demand Your Rep Support the We the People Amendment (H.J.Res.54). Citizens United blew the doors off campaign finance — this constitutional amendment slams them shut. H.J.Res.54 declares that rights belong to people, not corporations, that money is not speech, and requires full transparency on all political spending. Over 80% of Americans back this. Flood your reps' inboxes and demand they cosponsor it now: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/825582/

This week I want to take a moment to shout out the incredible, dedicated folks behind the Rush-Hour Resistance Rallies — the organizers who show up every week, rain or shine, to hold signs, lift spirits, and call out fascism at intersections all over Arizona. We see you, we appreciate you, and Arizona is better because of you. 🙌

Now get out there and join them, Patriots! RhRR gatherings happen every week across the metro! These rallies are peaceful, low-pressure, and designed to fit your schedule — stay five minutes or stay the whole time. No RSVP needed, no experience required. Just show up, bring a sign if you've got one, and have fun!

This Week's Locations & Times:

Monday | Midtown Phoenix — Park Central | 7th Ave & Osborn | 4:00 PM
Tuesday | Central Phoenix — Los Olivos | 7th St & McDowell | 7:30 AM
Tuesday | East Tempe — Cole Park | Carson & Country Club Way | 7:30 AM
Tuesday | Queen Creek/San Tan Valley — Encanterra | E Combs & N Gantzel | 7:30 AM
Wednesday | Midtown Phoenix — Melrose Curve | 7th Ave & Glenrosa | 7:30 AM
Wednesday | North Central Phoenix — Moon Valley | 7th St & Coral Gables | 7:30 AM
Thursday | Central Phoenix — ICE Field Office | Central & Holly | 7:30 AM
Friday | North Central Phoenix — Happy Valley | 25th Ave & Happy Valley | 8:00 AM
Friday | West Phoenix — Maryvale | 35th Ave & Bethany Home | 4:00 PM
Saturday | East Tempe — Cole Park | Carson & Country Club Way | 9:30 AM