The illustrious GOP-controlled legislature is still arguing about budgets, or so we hear. They're supposed to come back into session on June 16, so now is the time to contact your senator and representatives and tell them to support a budget that prioritizes public education over handouts to the wealthy.
On June 14, NO KINGS demonstrations are scheduled around Arizona and the nation. There are more than 30 rallies around our state, so there's very likely one near your city or town; check out the map. Be prepared, stay safe, and get out there to take a stand against authoritarianism and fascism. Here are some non-violent demonstration safety and training resources and a helpful guide to protesters' rights.
Masked federal agents are taking immigrants as they leave court hearings. Those who are less at risk of being targeted by ICE are needed to stand up and offer protection to our neighbors. Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente offer rapid response trainings on how to help. Multiple trainings are scheduled; the next one is on June 11 at 6pm in Phoenix. More info and RSVP here.
June is Pride Month, which feels especially meaningful in a timeline when equality is under attack by the religious right. Stop by and say "hi" to Secular AZ as we table at the following events:
Last week, The Copper Courier’s Camaron Stevenson joined us and provided an update on the c̶l̶o̶w̶n̶s̶h̶o̶w̶ Arizona State Legislature.
Camaron is the Founding Editor and Chief Political Correspondent for The Copper Courier, and has worked as a journalist in Phoenix for over a decade. He also teaches multimedia journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
In Jeanne Casteen's last Substack, she wrote about how board members in Peoria (PUSD) ignore the wants and needs of their constituents on the regular.
But school board members aren’t the only people who ignore the people who they’re supposed to be serving. I mean, like, look around, Secular FAM.
But there’s one elected position in each of our fifteen counties that has the potential to ignore the wants and needs of constituents in multiple school districts.
Chipping away at the wall between church and state: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Catholic Charities Bureau in Wisconsin is exempt from paying unemployment taxes, overturning a state court decision. The ruling stated that denying the exemption based on the charity not actively proselytizing constituted an unconstitutional denominational preference. This decision broadens the scope of "religious purpose," potentially allowing other religiously affiliated organizations, including hospitals and schools, to claim similar exemptions. This ruling will further erode worker protections and the social safety net by enabling organizations to prioritize religious affiliation over secular responsibilities. Read an analysis of the case from FFRF here.
New research from Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry shows that Christian nationalism significantly influenced state-level voting for Donald Trump in 2024. The study reveals that states with higher Christian nationalist leanings showed increased Trump vote shares, even after accounting for other factors. This effect was especially strong in states with lower average educational attainment, suggesting Christian nationalism provided a crucial ideological backdrop for Trump's populist appeal among working-class populations. Click here to read the research.
AZ students rally for protection against Trump's destructive education policies: It's no secret that the AZGOP has been attempting to destroy public education for years, (our state's education system is ranked at the bottom, consistently) and things aren't looking up under the trump administration and his illustrious new Department of Ed leader, who doesn't know the difference between AI and A1 steak sauce. Last week, Arizona students and supportive Democratic lawmakers rallied at the Capitol, urgently demanding protection for higher education from damaging Trump administration policies. Students, many relying on vital Pell Grants, face an uncertain future due to proposed federal cuts and state budget hits exacerbated by tax changes and voucher programs. They bravely spoke out against attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which are crucial for fostering welcoming and inclusive campus environments. Concerns also focused on the affordability crisis, rising tuition, and even food insecurity impacting students, highlighting the urgent need for sustained investment in public universities to ensure accessible, quality education for all.
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism has released a new report illustrating how white Christian nationalism has weaponized faith. Faith as a Weapon: Inside America’s Theocratic Vanguard delves into the alarming rise of Christian nationalist movements in America. It exposes how groups like the New Apostolic Reformation seek to reshape the nation based on their religious beliefs, often undermining democratic principles and leading to real-world consequences, such as influencing events like the January 6th Capitol riot. We were honored to have the GPAHE join us last month to discuss their important work combatting hate. Watch here on the Secular AZ YouTube channel.
An Arizona court blocked a pastor's confessionof child sexual abuse from his trial, citing clergy-penitent privilege. Despite the confession being recorded by a co-pastor (and uncle of a victim) during a conversation about church matters, the appeals court deemed it privileged. This ruling prevents crucial evidence from being used, potentially denying justice to victims. This disgusting display of religious privilege highlights how current clergy-penitent laws prioritize religious secrecy over child safety, creating dangerous loopholes for predators and undermining legal accountability. Secular AZ's Legal Director Dianne Post also reviewed the case.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 13, 12p: Jeanne Casteen streams live from Bisbee Pride; register here
June 20, 12p: Adam Ratner, MD, MPH, discusses Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health. More info and registration here
June 21, 9:30a: AZ NOW 2025 State Conference Confidence is Contagious; more info here
