Sunburnt & Stubborn: Weekly Activism Roundup | Mar 23 - Mar 29

Welcome to AZ Advocacy Hub. This is the week! March 28 No Kings Day is shaping up to be one of the largest single-day protests in American history, and Arizona is joining in on the fun. We have events in Mohave County, Flagstaff, Sun City West, Tucson, Casa Grande and TONS more. But before Saturday, there is a full week of city councils, legislative hearings, immigration trainings, and community events that deserve your attention too. Show up where you can. Bring someone with you - activism is more fun with friends!

No Kings Day is this Saturday. Arizona has events happening all across the state: Phoenix, Tempe, Surprise, Flagstaff, Goodyear, Peoria, Sun City West, Casa Grande, Mohave County and MORE. All events are peaceful and nonviolent. Bring a sign, water, and a friend/family member/neighbor. To get you in the mood, here are a few events to highlight:

• Tempe: Tempe Rising Indivisible is marching from Cole Park Bridge heading north, with the Handmaids Army at the front of the line. Bring a food or clothing donation.
• Surprise: Two events at Bell Road & North Civic Center Drive — plus a decorated vehicle caravan along Bell Rd starting at 17540 Ave of the Arts. RSVP for the protest or the caravan.
• Phoenix: Desert Democracy is hosting a neighborhood rally in North Encanto at N 17th Avenue & Thomas Road.
• Flagstaff: 1:00 PM rally hosted by Indivisible of Northern Arizona and No Kings. Follow the direction of the safety marshal team.
• Mohave County: Live music, giveaways, and community action starting at 10:00 AM. Location shared upon RSVP.

Civic Engagement & Democracy

Sunday, March 22 | How to Fight Authoritarianism — Legal Rights Talk | 10:00 AM | Phoenix: The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix is hosting criminal defense attorney Robert McWhirter for a presentation on the history of rights in America and practical guidance on how to interact with both legitimate and illegitimate authority. The session covers the Constitution, the 14th Amendment, and real-world examples from decades of practice.

Monday, March 23 | OVOV Advocacy Day at the Capitol — Affordability | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Phoenix Our Voice Our Vote Arizona is bringing community members to the Arizona State Capitol for a full day of advocacy focused on housing, cost of living, and economic stability. The day includes a morning press conference, a legislative breakfast, and direct meetings with lawmakers. Lunch is provided.

Tuesday, March 24 | Fight Back With Friends — Monthly Relational Organizing Training | 4:30 PM | Virtual: Indivisible's monthly virtual training on relational organizing using the Empower app — equipping people to activate friends, family, and neighbors around civic engagement. One hour, open to new participants every month.

Wednesday, March 25 | People Power: No Kings Conversation Training | 5:00 PM | Virtual: No Kings is hosting a virtual training on how to talk to friends, family, and neighbors about why No Kings Day matters and why they should show up. Led by communications experts.

Sunday, March 22 | Tucson Protect Ed Signature Gathering Launch | 11:00 AM | Tucson: Save Our Schools Arizona is launching the signature gathering campaign for the Protect Education Act in Tucson — the coalition needs 256,000 valid signatures by July 2. Pick up petitions and materials at this launch event.

Legislative Action

Tuesday, March 24 | AZ Legislature Committee Hearing — HB2145 Gas Prices | 1:30 PM | Phoenix Opportunity Arizona is asking community members to show up at the State Capitol or sign up to speak in committee against HB2145, a bill that would allow politicians to scapegoat Democrats for rising gas prices while lowering gas quality standards and increasing pollution in the Valley.

Tuesday, March 24 | Gun Violence Prevention Rally at the Arizona Capitol | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Phoenix Moms Demand Action is holding a peaceful rally at the Arizona State Capitol opposing gun violence. Arizona ranks 41st in the nation for gun safety laws. After the rally, attendees are welcome to stay for the legislative session beginning at 1:00 PM. Location: 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix.

Wednesday, March 25 | AZ Legislature Committee Hearing — HCR2016 | 7:00 AM | Phoenix Opportunity Arizona is asking community members to show up at the State Capitol or sign up to speak against HCR2016, a bill that would block cities and towns from raising revenue — cutting funding for public schools, roads, and healthcare. As a referendum, it would bypass the Governor's veto and go directly to voters if it passes.

Immigration & ICE Resistance

Monday, March 23 | Mesa City Council Meeting: End the 287(g) Agreement | 5:45 PM | Mesa: Indivisible Mesa is back at Mesa City Council demanding the city withdraw from its 287(g) agreement with ICE. Arrive by 4:30 PM to sign up for public comment — the request form opens at 5:00 PM and spots fill fast. Non-speakers can submit written comments via QR code or online kiosk.

Monday, March 23 | Conozca Sus Derechos: Derechos de Protesta | 5:00 PM | Virtual: La ACLU y No Kings ofrecen una orientación en español sobre el derecho constitucional a protestar de manera pacífica y las mejores prácticas para minimizar riesgos al asistir a manifestaciones.

Tuesday, March 24 | Staying Rooted, Staying Ready: DACA Community Call | 4:00 PM | Virtual United We Dream Network is hosting a community call for DACA recipients with updates on recent policy changes, an open Q&A, and connections to legal, mental health, and community resources. This call will not be recorded.

Thursday, March 26 | How Every Nonprofit & Community Member Can Fight ICE | 11:00 AM AZ / 2:00 PM ET | Virtual Nonprofit Quarterly's Learn Out Loud series is hosting a webinar on how nonprofits, philanthropies, and community members can use cultural, political, and economic power to resist ICE. Speakers include people actively using different levers of power to push back on immigration enforcement.

Wednesday, March 25 | Rapid Response Volunteer Training | 6:00 PM | Online: Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement are training volunteers in Migra Watch, Solidarity Accompaniment, and Rapid Response — equipping people to monitor ICE activity, support individuals at risk of detention, and help keep families together.

Community & Mutual Aid

Wednesday, March 25 | HerStory: Preserving, Honoring, and Celebrating Black Herstory | 5:00 PM AZ / 8:00 PM ET | Virtual Color of Change is hosting a celebration honoring Black women making history during Women's History Month.

Wednesday, March 25 | Choice Food Pantry — Glendale | 3:00 – 5:00 PM | Glendale Local First Arizona's bi-monthly choice food pantry — residents choose their own items, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Volunteers needed for the afternoon shift to operate the pantry and engage with community members.

Monday, March 30 | Songs That Write Wrongs — Open Jam Night | 6:30 PM | Phoenix Fuerte Arts Movement's bi-weekly open jam session at Testal centering poetry, music, and storytelling. Each session includes a short popular education teaching moment on a rotating theme. Bring your voice, your instruments, and your creative spirit. Food provided first-come.

• The Senate is voting this week on the SAVE America Act — a voter suppression bill. The bill would impose burdensome ID requirements that would disproportionately impact married people who've changed their names, trans Americans, students, and voters of color. Tell your senators to vote NO now: https://act.indivisible.org/sign/stop-gops-new-voter-suppression-legislation
• The Trump administration is attempting to create a registry of all transgender people. The Lemkin Institute has issued a red flag alert on anti-trans genocide in the USA. The public comment period is still open — make your voice heard: https://transresilience.org/issues/fda-registry/comment
• Tell Congress to reject the deportation and detention agenda. ICE is converting warehouses into detention mega-centers across the country — and some Republicans are already pushing back. Keep up the pressure: https://act.indivisible.org/sign/reject-the-deportation-and-detention-agenda/
• Demand your representative support the Abolish Super PACs Act (H.R.2352). The bill caps Super PAC donations at $5,000 per person, closes coordination loopholes, and restores electoral integrity. 78% of Americans across party lines support it. Contact your members of Congress: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/825590/
• Demand your representative support the We the People Amendment (H.J.Res.54). This constitutional amendment would establish that rights belong to people — not corporations — and that money is not speech. Over 80% of Americans support it across party lines. Contact your elected officials: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/825582/

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