“One man’s liberties can not be protected without protecting all men’s liberties.” |
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This Week At The Legislature
A short newsletter for a long weekend. We finished our legislative work in an hour this week, ending with the House Speaker adjourning us until June 4th. The Republican majority continues to navigate how to get their caucus on board with spending cuts in the budget, and the inability to get any kind of consensus makes breaking for recess a necessity. Democrats stand ready with a fiscally responsible budget to work on together.
This week, Trumps cruelty was on full display in the heart of our city. In court on Tuesday, immigration attorneys were shocked witnessing an unprecedented display of legal system manipulation in order for ICE to detain and remove people showing up for their scheduled hearings. The federal government sent instructions out for judges to ‘dismiss’ cases before them, giving ICE the opportunity to seize people because they are no longer under court jurisdiction. We saw women, men, and children who’s cases were just dismissed immediately finding themselves taken by ICE. For those in the US less than two years, this could mean they are fast-tracked through a removal process, a process that provides much lower due process. Immigration attorneys in Phoenix and around the country watching this ambush have stated that their clients had no prior criminal record at all. We also now know that in March, 200 Venezuelan migrants were deported to El Salvador, with over 75% of them having no criminal record.
Is this about immigration reform? Public safety? Do we care about the rule of law? Actions speak louder than words, and the actions we are seeing in front of us are strikingly clear: the United States government is abusing it’s power and authority, both in due process and ignoring court orders, to commit to its goal of striking fear and doing whatever it takes to remove migrants of color from our country.
People showing up to their immigration hearings are following the law and the process set out before them, only to find themselves exploited by the government. “This escalation of tactics breaks down trust," the New York Immigration Coalition said in a statement. "People should be free to attend their important court cases without fear of being arrested, detained and deported outside of the court." |
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| Know your rights! Feel free to share helpful sheet. |
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| Reps. Liguori, Austin, and Sandoval outside court |
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| Rep. Villegas defending migrant due process |
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I joined several of my colleagues and dozens of immigration advocates at the court this week to help give people who were showing up for their legal proceedings information on the entrapment they might be walking into and making sure they were connected to resources and legal services. After public outcry and eyes from reporters, ICE was not present Thursday or Friday this week, but community is going to continue to organize to make sure asylum seekers and immigrants in the legal proceeding process are informed and have legal counsel.
TO GET INVOLVED: Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement will be hosting a training May 28th from 6:00pm - 7:30 pm |
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I hope everyone is having a nice long weekend, with time for reflection to honor the men and women who have proudly served our country. Thinking of my own family, and all the others, who’s members have proudly served and also experienced suffering from loss made with the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
I am writing this newsletter looking out upon the beautiful rolling hill vista in Sonoita. It had been twenty years since I last visited Kartchner Caverns State Park and it was just as magical, if not more, being there again with my children to experience the incredible story and beauty of our state’s underground treasure. Even though this is a fun trip, I of course had to inquire on the parks funding and operation health. As a State Park they have not experienced any cuts yet, but did lose all their research funding, including for a project studying cave floor mud that has never been touched by man. Message me if you want Southern Arizona itinerary recommendations!
With Kindness,
Sarah |
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Something To Watch
Our first book club event with Atlantic editor and Stuck book author Yoni Appelbaum was a delightful conversation. During the hour we covered the history of lost mobility and it’s overlapping effects to our current housing crisis.
Although I highly recommend you read the book to get a full sense of the timeline tied to our country’s housing origins, Yoni gave great insight highlighting his research on how progressive ideals, neighborhood protectionism, and zoning’s racist motives tie together to the unaffordable housing scarcity we experience today.
Joining us for the conversation were Councilwoman Anna Hernandez and Tempe Mayor Woods. I thank them for participating and leading the partnerships between state and city housing solutions for Arizona.
Listen To The Stuck Conversation Here |
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Rep. Liguori, Author Yoni Applebaum, Mayor Woods, Councilwoman Hernandez |
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Something To Give
If you feel like spending over the Memorial Day holiday consider forgoing an item and instead give locally to an organization. |
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| Trump’s budget cuts funding to Public Broadcasting like PBS and NPR. This amounts to $900,000 that our local KJZZ station relies on to deliver unbiased news reporting. Consider a one time or monthly amount that fits your budget to help them stay on air. |
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| May is mental health awareness month, something very important for our veterans that we honor this memorial day. Arizona Veterans Mission Group is a 501(c)(3) that provides legal services free of charge to help veterans navigate bureaucracy and access the services they're entitled to and have earned. It costs money to bring in and retain legal expertise, and by donating, you're helping veterans get the health services and benefits they deserve.
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| Desert Star Foundation is a family planning clinic in our district that provides wholistic healthcare services. They support marginalized and uninsured communities, provide abortion care and training to future providers, and work with the community to bring awareness to the importance of reproductive healthcare. Your donations help continue and expand their services. |
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| Altavoz Lab uplifts community journalists by funding, mentoring, and connecting them to a national network of peers and media leaders. Since 2022, they’ve supported fellows from across the country, ensuring critical stories are told by and for the communities they serve. Help us expand this impact — your donation can fund one more fellowship this year. |
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Emcee of the gala Latosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter |
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Union leaders and community supporters came together for the Worker Power Democracy and Justice Awards Gala this week. The ballroom was filled with hundreds of elected officials, community leaders, activists, and labor brothers and sisters who heard powerful stories of union successes in the continued plight to improve workers lives. Former U.S. Secretary of Labor was there sharing stories of her work in the Biden Administration, including the time labor leaders first time on Air Force One negotiating deal terms. Honorees of the event were: Former Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brrown The American Federation of Teachers President, Randi Weingarten U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego.
In the midst of uncertainty, you can count on Worker Power and labor to continue to be there for workers. |
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Super teacher Kareem Neal and Rep. Liguori at the gala |
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Chances are good that any time you pass by 7th Avenue and Roosevelt you will see a a gathering of people ordering and waiting for food at El Norteno. Family owned since 1981, it is the go to spot for workers in the area and foodies alike.
They serve delicious Mexican food quick - winning awards for their burritos and breakfast burritos. I recently stopped in to get my fix with a bean, cheese, and rice burrito. It is cash only so come hungry and with money in hand. |
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| Join Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement for a powerful training that equips you to stand in solidarity with migrant communities under threat. This collaborative training combines key trainings for community defense—Migra Watch, Solidarity Accompaniment, and Rapid Response—to prepare volunteers to monitor ICE activity, support individuals at risk of detention, and help keep families together. |
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The Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Queer Summer Market Sunday June 8th at Warehouse 215 in Downtown. Stop by for shopping, artists, drinks, and the photobooth! No signup required. |
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Coronado Neighborhood is turning 100 years old! Come celebrate with neighbors on May 30. There will also be live music by Young Sounds at the Musician's Union which is FREE for you enjoy. See details here.
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