TUCSON, Ariz.—A standing room-only crowd of union members and retirees greeted AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler in Tucson to kick off a labor walk as part of Saturday’s No Kings Day observations.
Over a hundred campaigners gathered at the IBEW union hall to meet Shuler, while thousands more Tucsonans turned out at a half-dozen other locations to protest against President Donald Trump and MAGA.
The event included a spirited short welcome by Congresswoman Adelita Grrijalva, who next went to campaign with Arizona’s progressive attorney general, Kris Mayes. Local labor federation President Cecelia Valdez followed, encouraging everybody to mail their ballots now and to join the canvassing or phone calling.
Bobby Martinez, Western Regional Director of the International Association of Machinists, introduced Shuler, asking, “What kind of a world are we leaving for our grandchildren?” He emphasized that this campaign is intended to make a better world.
Shuler warmed up the room with her loud, clear voice pointing out that the American people are fed up with the cost of living and many are now under water. “Shit’s too expensive,” she boomed. “It’s all about affordability.”
She accused the billionaires of trying to buy the election, “but we have the people,” she said. “They have the TV ads, but we are going door to door…it brings people hope.”
Also speaking were Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Arizona AFL-CIO Executive Director Fred Yamashita. Last to speak was Pima County Recorder Gabby Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, who assured those present that “while it’s real that our vote is under attack, the mail-in ballots which were sent to voters last week are arriving at the recorder’s office undisturbed.”
All spoke briefly before everyone was sent out to canvass union households and encourage voters to mail in their ballots now, go to a drop box, or if they’re among Arizona’s 20% who don’t vote by mail to vote early at one of the designated sites. Participants were also encouraged to make sure their friends, neighbors, and co-workers get their ballots in.
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