Coalition of groups gather at Flagstaff City Hall on March 24 to protest Rep. Eli Crane

Coalition of groups gather at Flagstaff City Hall on March 24 to protest Rep. Eli Crane

March 25, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Events, local, newsNo Comments
Also see Arizona Daily Sun: 'Where's Eli?' Flagstaff citizens call out Congressman Crane for lack of engagement with community FLAGSTAFF — Hundreds of individuals from a variety of groups gathered in front of the Flagstaff City Hall to protest against Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona on Monday, March 24. The groups, and some Republican constituents, have criticized Crane for refusing to hold open town halls, resulting in a growing number protests including an event in Cottonwood on March 19. The Arizona Daily Sun reported that more than 300 took part in the protest in front of the Flagstaff City Hall. Crane’s office reported that its staff met with Pastor Randall Miller of Northland Baptist Church and students from Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff on Monday, posting a photo of the meeting on Facebook, which included comments by individuals asking Crane to meet with the public. Some of the groups supporting the protest at the Flagstaff City Hall include Arizona Progressive Action Committee, Arizona Students Association, Coconino Democrats, 50501 and Indivisible Northern Arizona.
American Immigration Council — Why Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act Matters for America

American Immigration Council — Why Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act Matters for America

March 23, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Immigration, newsNo Comments
LATEST ANALYSIS Why Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act Matters for America The Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act has been held up in court for now, amid an escalating legal battle over the government’s compliance with a judicial order. But the importance of the Alien Enemies Act declaration isn’t just because of the court battle, or because the first planeload of deportees was sent to provide forced labor in a prison in El Salvador. If the Trump administration prevails, it will be allowed to resume deportations of Venezuelan men under the act—to El Salvador or any other country that will take them—without giving them any chance of a hearing or even the opportunity to know the evidence against them.
Democracy Focus — The week ahead

Democracy Focus — The week ahead

March 17, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Immigration, newsNo Comments
Well, that was a busy weekend and there are plenty of challenges ahead for Democracy. The fallout continues over the decision by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and 9 Senate Dems to vote yes for the Republican's Continuing Resolution, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. Only one Democrat in the House voted yes for the CR, with most Senate Democrats voting against the resolution.
The Lighter side

The Lighter side

March 13, 2025Posted inDemocracy, local, newsNo Comments
Sometimes, we just need to breathe, take care of ourselves and enjoy the funniest political moments of the day. Besides, here are some useful quotes on using humor as a weapon against those with authoritarian tendencies. ... "Satire make them look human and make people fear them less ... If you remembered a joke whenever you looked at a wannabe/existing dictator would you fear them as much? ... Dictatorships are primarily based on fear and satire and fun can puncture the illusion of power" — Madhur Chadha
American Immigration Council — USCIS Suffers Extraneous DOGE Cuts While ICE Expands

American Immigration Council — USCIS Suffers Extraneous DOGE Cuts While ICE Expands

March 9, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Immigration, newsNo Comments
While Federal Firings Focus on Immigration Processing, Funding for Immigration Enforcement Expands In recent weeks, significant personnel reductions throughout the federal government supposedly made in the name of eliminating “waste” have caused concerns about the government’s ability to continue providing timely services. Agencies that provide immigration-related services have not been spared from these cuts, which may lead to reduction in services and increased delays across the immigration system
Democracy Focus— Do Congressional Democrats really have a plan?

Democracy Focus— Do Congressional Democrats really have a plan?

March 6, 2025Posted inDemocracy, newsNo Comments
The Congressional Democratic reaction this week to President Trump's Joint Address to Congress clearly showed the challenges facing the party as they try to block the administration's effort to take control of the power of the purse from Congress. Senate and House leaders asked their members to sit quietly, let Trump dig his own policy hole while Democrats would pounce with a well-delivered opposition response. Well, the second part went well, but many Democrats went rogue. While some skipped the address, one representative was tossed out within the first couple of minutes, other Democrats held so-called bingo or bidding signs, with few others deciding to walk out mid-way through the President's address.
Democracy Focus — Not Necessarily a ‘State of the Union’

Democracy Focus — Not Necessarily a ‘State of the Union’

March 5, 2025Posted inDemocracy, newsNo Comments
'An all-time record Presidential address to Congress (almost 1 hour and 40 minutes), followed by a short and concise opposition response, fact-checkers working overtime, while Congressional Democrats were derided for their action or inaction during the event. That and much more happened during President Trump's Joint Address to Congress on March 4, 2025.
Democracy Focus — Social Security next Trump target

Democracy Focus — Social Security next Trump target

March 4, 2025Posted inDemocracy, newsNo Comments
Cutting off foreign aid, laying off federal workers in numerous alphabet-letter agencies, ending funding for federally-funded scientific studies — for many folks who voted for Donald Trump as president, the cuts are lumped together in the "Promises Made, Promises Kept" motto being spouted by administration officials and parroted by right-leaning media outlets. However, Elon Musk and his DOGE-associated Muskovite followers might be marching to a bridge too far as they set their sights on Social Security? We shall soon see, with vocal rumblings already being loudly heard at Republican town halls across the nation. ...
Update — Consumers take part in ‘Buy Nothing Day’ on Feb. 28. More protests to come

Update — Consumers take part in ‘Buy Nothing Day’ on Feb. 28. More protests to come

February 28, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Events, local, newsNo Comments
Please see related stories — • AP — Economic blackout: Will a 24-hour boycott make a difference? • Lincoln County Leader — Letter: “Buy Nothing Day’ on Friday NATIONAL — A variety of organizations are planning for a national “No Buy Day“ to protest what they believe is corporate greed, along with efforts by corporations to scale back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (DEI), which they say is led by the Trump administration. CBS News has reported the economic boycott has been spreading on social media (see link below). In Arizona, the Arizona Republic reported the following “companies have rolled back DEI in the past year:”
Flagstaff joins nationwide 2025 Presidents’ Day protest rallies

Flagstaff joins nationwide 2025 Presidents’ Day protest rallies

February 24, 2025Posted inDemocracy, local, newsNo Comments
FLAGSTAFF — More than 500 people took part in a National Day of Protest event at the Flagstaff City Hall on Feb. 17. The protests were part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration and its ongoing efforts to close federal agencies and fire thousands of federal workers. The event in Flagstaff also included a rally to Support Federal Works and Public Lands. Local media covering the event included the Arizona Daily Sun, KAFF News, AZ Family and KNAU.
American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

February 16, 2025Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Immigration, newsNo Comments
 LATEST ANALYSIS  Communities Continue to Stand by Immigrants Amidst Fear, Heightened Enforcement The first few weeks of President Trump’s second term in office have instilled a heightened level of fear, as longtime neighbors, residents, and tightly knit communities have encountered increased federal immigration enforcement. Nevertheless, many communities continue to show up for one another in big ways and small to defend their neighbors, their loved ones, and their homes.   The Chilling Effect of Trump’s Indiscriminate Immigration Arrests & Propaganda As we near the one-month mark of the new Trump administration, it is clear that the president’s thinly veiled threats of imposing mass deportation on “criminal immigrants” are in fact a promise to target all immigrants—and sometimes even U.S. citizens.