HANDS OFF Flagstaff! — Largest protest in city’s history jam downtown Flagstaff City Hall

HANDS OFF Flagstaff! — Largest protest in city’s history jam downtown Flagstaff City Hall

Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Events, Immigration, local, newsNo Comments
FLAGSTAFF — Protesters (estimated between 2,000 and 2,500) flooded the zone in downtown Flagstaff for the "HANDS OFF! Flagstaff AZ Fights Back!" rally, part of a national day of protest held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The Arizona Daily Sun and KNAU put the estimated crowd at 2,500 people, who surrounding City Hall from the corner of Humphrey Street and Aspen Avenue south to Route 66 and west to Milton Road. The crowd size exceeded the 2,000-person Jan. 21, 2017 "March For Love" protest during the first Trump administration. A small overflow crowd could be seen across the street from City Hall, with others protesting from the traffic islands at the Santa Fe Avenue and Milton Road exits. Carrying a variety of signs reflecting the organizer's multi-issue event, protesters took aim at everything from Hands Off Medicaid to Medicare, Social Security, Our Jobs, Our Wallets, Our Books, Fair Elections, Personal Data, Public Lands, Veteran Services, Cancer Research, NATO, Consumer Protections, Clean Air, Schools, Libraries, Free Speech, LGBTQ+ Rights, Immigrants, Courts and other issues.
Coconino County Democratic Party to take part in Nationwide Protest rally at Flagstaff City Hall on April 19

Coconino County Democratic Party to take part in Nationwide Protest rally at Flagstaff City Hall on April 19

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Democratic Party has announced a National Day of Protest rally will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Flagstaff City Hall. Bring your kazoos and tambourines, drums and friends, creative signs and FRIENDS! About this event The calendar date is meaningful. The American Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775 with the “shot heard ’round the world” in Massachusetts. The date is also important for another reason. The current administration has been threatening to use the Insurrection Act of 1807 to declare martial law to shut down dissent and protest nationwide. Unconfirmed reports say they might announce it on April 20.  Know this; we will not cede power to the administration that they do not have.
Indivisible Northern Arizona to join national May Day Protest in Flagstaff on May 1

Indivisible Northern Arizona to join national May Day Protest in Flagstaff on May 1

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FLAGSTAFF — As part of a national effort, Indivisible Northern Arizona will hold its May Day Protest from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at the Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. The protest is organized by Indivisible Northern AZ, and co-sponsored by AZ LD7 Democrats, Arizona List, AZ Students Association, Catch Fire, Coconino County Democratic Party, FLAGPAC, and Women’s March Flagstaff. An estimated 26 other May Day demonstrations are planned for throughout Arizona. See information on other planned protests locally, Arizona and nationwide: • Great Circle Media (KAFF News) — May Day protest scheduled for tomorrow (May 1) at City Hall
United Left Coalition Student Club at NAU to hold May Day Rally and Panel on May 1

United Left Coalition Student Club at NAU to hold May Day Rally and Panel on May 1

Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Education, Events, local, news
FLAGSTAFF — The United Left Coalition NAU student club is hosting a series of May Day events from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.   Organizers say, “join us in a community gathering to acknowledge and celebrate working class solidarity and the history of Mayday, and to protest the growing rise in fascism.” The day will begin with poster making, followed by a march to Flagstaff City Hall for a protest rally.  At 6:15 pm, there will be a panel of speakers that is open to the public.
May Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff on May 1

May Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff on May 1

Posted inDemocracy, Education, Events, local, news
A celebration of workers and the labor movement is being held at MOCAF (Museum of Contemporary Art Flagstaff at 555 Blackbird Roost, Flagstaff). Organizers say, “Join us for May Day at MOCAF! Thursday, May 1 | 4–8 PM 555 Blackbird Roost Flagstaff, AZ Celebrate the rich history of the labor movement through art, music, food, and community.  Learn how to support Flagstaff’s local labor unions and get involved. We’ll have union tabling, performances and hands-on activities like picket sign + zine making for all ages.
Indivisible Northern AZ to hold community gathering in Flagstaff on April 21

Indivisible Northern AZ to hold community gathering in Flagstaff on April 21

Posted inDemocracy, Diversity, Education, Events, localNo Comments
Please join us at our Community Gathering on Monday, April 21st at 5:30 at the Flagstaff Federated Community Church!   We will celebrate the success of the protest movement across the country, and talk about why it’s important  and what we see coming next.  We’ll discuss the actions you can take in-between protests. We will  revisit some key elements of the Indivisible Guide, which lays out the tactics that underpin the actions we need to take to reclaim our democracy; in other words, Activism 101.
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

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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.
Democracy Focus — The week ahead

Democracy Focus — The week ahead

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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

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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
Democracy Focus— Do Congressional Democrats really have a plan?

Democracy Focus— Do Congressional Democrats really have a plan?

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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’

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'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

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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

Posted 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

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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.