This is not a scam!
By Abigail Jackson
Not a scam. Have you checked your mail lately? If you live in Arizona, you may be one of over 350,000 Arizonans that received a letter clearing a collective $429 million in medical debt. No strings, no stress, no collection calls. This is just the beginning of Governor Katie Hobbs’ program that partners Arizona with nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt. The program could cancel up to $2 billion in medical debt—helping nearly 1 million Arizonans. In a country where an ambulance ride can ruin your credit and half the country can’t afford a $500 surprise bill, this is life-changing. Nobody should have to choose between buying groceries or paying off a hospital bill from two years ago; nobody should delay medical care; nobody should be punished just for getting sick. For more information on Governor Hobbs’ plan to erase Arizonans’ medical debt, visit her office’s Medical Debt Relief FAQ.
Republicans side with sex-trafficker. On June 26, Progress Arizonaprojected about Biggs, Ciscomani, and Schwiekert trying to conceal the Epstein files at Hayden Flour Mill in Tempe. Rep. Andy Biggs was also one of two Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to vote against a motion to subpoena the U.S. Justice Department release files related to the federal case against Epstein, including interview memos. The motion passed 8-2, and Biggs provided no explanation for his vote against it. The about-face and, in some cases, silence regarding Epstein is a new change after FOIA requests have revealed that Donald Trump is mentioned multiple times in the case files, and the surfacing of new details connecting Trump to Epstein.
Weaponizing immigration court. Recently, immigration attorneys and individuals navigating the immigration system have received notices that previously closed court cases have been reopened, asking individuals to report to immigration court. This is due to federal immigration authorities filing to reopen immigration cases that have been closed in the last 10 years. Raquel Terán on behalf of our Proyecto Progreso joined Univision to discuss how to find out if your immigration case has been reopened: “If you have an appointment with the court, you should attend with an immigration attorney. If you do not have the same attorney who handled your case initially, you should regularly check if your case was reopened. Visit the website acis.eoir.justice.gov and input your A-number to check your case status.” Visit tusderechos.us to find an immigration lawyer and learn more about your rights.
Nothing Left Unsaid. Have you listened to the newest episode of our podcast, Nothing Left Unsaid, yet?! This episode we’re joined by Azza Abuseif, Executive Director of CAIR-AZ to talk about state repression, speaking out against genocide, and somehow… leashed cats and iInternet puppy scams. Politics meets chaos—don’t miss it. Nothing Left Unsaid airs on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We keep us safe. Join Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement for a “Solidarity Accompaniment” Rapid Response Volunteer Training—a community-powered effort to resist ICE violence and protect our neighbors. 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. RSVP for the next training on Wednesday, August 6th from 6–7:30 PM and learn to observe, verify, accompany, and report—safely and effectively.
Become ungovernable. Join LUCHA AZ and Popular Democracy for a Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Training. This moment requires activists to use all tools in the activist toolbox. This one hour overview training is for everyone and will include:
- Why direct action is important
- Why we use the tactic of nonviolence or disobedience
- Why and and what what participants can expect when they engage in a nonviolent civil disobedience action
- Opportunities to get involved in nonviolent direct action with Popular Democracy
RSVP for the next training on Monday, August 4th from 6–7pm ET (3–4pm AZ Time).