Last Week This Morning: Our hearts are heavy
By TJ Hernandez
Our hearts are heavy after the horrific shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and 2 teachers were gunned down. Republicans in Arizona on the other hand? Mostly empty platitudes, thoughts and prayers, offered by those who vetoed the 13 bills Democrats introduced this year in the Legislature to address gun violence. For some, such as U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, it was an opportunity to spread lies, hate, and bigotry. The Arizona GOP should be ashamed, and so should any Democrat who prioritizes the filibuster over needed legislation.
Guns in classrooms, but no “controversial topics”. A bill that would ban teachers from covering accurate history passed out of the Arizona House last week. #SB1412 would also allow parents to sue schools and threatens educators with a $5,000 fine. One example of a so-called “controversial” topic? Rep. Michelle Udall, who is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction, claimed it would be inappropriate to teach that the recent shooting in Buffalo, NY was motivated by racism. Meanwhile, the AZGOP has advanced a bill that normalizes guns in schools. Their priorities of what to “protect” kids from are so clearly misplaced.
Anti-voter bill vetoed. Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed #HB2617, an anti-voter bill which would have changed the process by which county recorders cancel voter registrations. The bill would have invited discriminationagainst people of color, and the process it outlined made little to no sense. Like the other anti-voter bills introduced by the AZ GOP, it does not solve an actual problem, and is merely another waste of time to appeal to the “Stop the Steal” base, while ignoring the real needs of Arizonans. Thank you to the advocates and organizations who fought hard against this bill.
Solidarity in AZ and WV. Activists and community members in Arizona and West Virginia organized a joint action on Monday to protest Senators Kyrsten Sinema’s and Joe Manchin’s support for the filibuster. Catch footage from the Arizona action, held in Downtown Tucson, here.
Donate to the families in Uvalde. The Uvalde Strong Fund supports victims, their families, and others affected by the tragedy at Robb Elementary School on May 24th.