Tucson, AZ - At the Annual Tucson Peace Fair, February 23, the Tucson Anti War Committee organized a short march through the event to draw attention to maneuvers of Trump and U.S. imperialism against Venezuela. On the international day of action calling for “No War on Venezuela,” to celebrate one month of successful resistance to the coup attempt against President Maduro, the solidarity activists shouted, “Hands off Venezuela” and drew supporters to the march from the crowd and the groups tabling.

Tucson, AZ – Just one day after President Trump announced official recognition for the illegally self-inaugurated interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, a dozen activists rallied outside the downtown federal building, January 24. The rally took a stand in solidarity with the democratically-elected president, and former union bus driver, Nicolas Maduro.

Tucson, AZ – Around 40 people chanting “No wall, never,” joined a protest here January 10 in response to President Trump’s bid to finance his racist border wall. Protesters’ signs reading “Refugees welcome here!” drew many honks of solidarity from traffic in front the federal building.

Tucson, AZ – Over 100 people chanted, “Troops off the border! Defy Trump’s order!” at the Davis-Monthan Air Force base on December 1. Signs reading “Refugees welcome here!” drew many honks of solidarity from traffic passing by the base entrance where demonstrators stood outside.

Prepares for large rally Saturday at Air Force base

Tucson, AZ – On November 27, in response to the U.S. government’s brutal use of rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators in Tijuana, three actions of solidarity took place in Tucson. One was at an elementary school where a class of children chanted “Solidarity now!” in a video shared on social media. Another was coordinated by a handful of “Ragin’ Grannies” outside Tucson High holding signs that read “Refugees welcome here!” A third action took place at the University of Arizona and had a turnout of over two dozen people. Their two huge banners read “No hate, no fear! Refugees welcome here!”

Tucson, AZ – On November 13 around 50 people gathered in front of the Federal Building in downtown Tucson to demand that President Trump remove over 5000 troops deployed to the border. With chants of “Say it loud, say it clear! Refugees are welcome here!” the crowd generated many honks of solidarity from passing cars, tractor trailers, school buses and city buses.

Tucson, AZ – Outraged educators took to the streets in both Phoenix and Tucson Sept. 5 to protest the removal of Proposition 207 from the November ballot. The actions took place at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce in Phoenix and at Chamber members Tucson Electrical Power (TEP) and Wells Fargo in Tucson. These places were targets because it was the Chamber of Commerce that funded and filed the lawsuit against the InvestInEd ballot initiative that would have raised income taxes on the top 0.07% of Arizonans, some 15,000 people, and generated an estimated $690 million. This amount would provide a significant boost to missing $1.1 billion from public schools over the ten years.

Tucson, AZ – Una vez, alguien dijo que, no hay más que dos perspectivas que existen: el lado del capitalismo y el lado del socialismo. Esas palabras profundas reverberan cuando uno vea los titulares sobre de la situación en Nicaragua. En los días siguiendo el aniversario de la Revolución Sandinista en 19 de Julio, la mayoría de la prensa controlado por las corporaciones están enfocados todavía alrededor las metas del golpe suave. Esa es la perspectiva que apoya el lado del capitalismo, de imperialismo. La prensa en los EEUU están tratando a resucitar algo muerto: los planes a sacar el gobierno del Presidente Daniel Ortega. Pero, no lo han permitido a ocurrir las masas leales Sandinistas. A decir que el golpe suave intentado por los EEUU y los compradores Nicaragüense no ha logrado es a apoyar el lado de socialismo.

Tucson, AZ – On July 16, Colombian paramilitaries with possible connections to the government murdered six social movement leaders. Two of those murdered were union leaders affiliated with the country’s largest union, FENSUAGRO, which organizes agricultural workers. They were brutally beaten to death with rocks. One of them was nearly decapitated and barely recognizable to family. These murders mark an escalation of violence against the left in Colombia since the election of Ivan Duque on June 17, as the political killings have averaged more than one a day. Ivan Duque is the protege of ex-Colombian President Uribe, who oversaw some of the worst state human rights abuses in the war against the FARC.

Tucson, AZ – This past weekend, July 7 and 8, hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans marched and rallied to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution that liberated the country from the 43-year reign of the brutal, U.S.-backed Somoza dictatorship.

Tucson, AZ – Nearly 100 Tucsonans lined up at the Federal Court House, June 27, to demonstrate their anger at the Supreme Court ruling upholding Trump’s Muslim ban. Many brought signs saying “No ban, no wall!” and “Muslims are welcome here!”

Tucson, AZ – In November of 2016, president of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega was elected for a third term with 72% approval. Despite what the U.S. government says about Nicaraguan elections, the Carter Center’s election observer teams routinely praise Nicaragua’s fair and free elections. It is clear the U.S. government is unhappy with the results, so U.S. interference with deadly consequences is the order of the day.

Tucson, AZ – The nation’s largest labor action came to a close Thursday, May 3 when Arizona’s #RedForEd movement ended its six-day walkout. A week after some 75,000 educators and allies flooded the capitol in Phoenix, the decision to return to schools came as Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed the education portion of the state budget. In that budget is a proposed 10% raise for teachers this coming school year. As local and national news outlets circulate the story that Governor Ducey gave Arizona educators a 20% raise, we must take a closer look at the deal and seek truth from the facts.

Tucson, AZ – As the historic statewide strike of Arizona educators concluded its unprecedented fourth day on May 1, Tucson rallied under the banner #RedForEd. Speakers shared stories connecting economic policies that have destroyed state budgets, foreign countries and working people’s livelihoods and illustrating the bonds between education, immigration and labor.

Phoenix, AZ – The historic statewide educator walkout entered its third day Monday, April 30. Tens of thousands filled the capitol once again in order to talk with legislators and pressure Governor Ducey to fully fund public schools.

Phoenix, AZ – A red tidal wave is washing over downtown Phoenix, April 26, as the #RedForEd movement takes its demands to Governor Ducey and the Republican-dominated legislature. A week ago, 78% of the 57,000 educators who voted chose to walk out as a response to the lack of a realistic proposal from Ducey. His proposal, what he called last night his “final offer” uses a lot of unverified projections and moving monies from important programs such as health care and funds for the disabled and veterans.

Tucson, AZ – The rapid rise of the #RedForEd and the failure of the Arizona governor and legislature to fully fund public schools will result in a state-wide walk out, Thursday, April 26. Educators have been frustrated with some of the lowest pay and lowest per-pupil funding in the country.

Tucson, AZ – With over 57,000 votes from across the state, 78% over education workers voted April 19 in favor of a walk out. This historic vote comes on the heels of a proposal from Governor Doug Ducey to fund the demand of a 20% raise by using monies from health care programs, the arts, and programs for the developmentally disabled. This vote is a rejection of Ducey’s lackluster effort to listen to the raging #RedForEd movement.

Tucson, AZ – Last Thursday, April 12, Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey presented his proposal for salary raises to the movement of educators called Arizona Educators United (AEU). It did not take long for teachers and educational support professionals to reject the proposal based on suspicions of a lack of new funding streams and the lack of recognition for classified support staff.

Tucson, AZ – Thousands of red-clad educators, parents, youth and community members poured into the downtown area April 4, during rush hour. Several marches from nearby schools convened on the street corners outside of the Arizona State Building to send a message to Governor Doug Ducey and the legislature to increase teacher pay and restore the missing $1 billion from the state public education budget.