On June 1, 2022, March for Our Lives Phoenix hosted a press conference calling for Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Legislature to take action on common sense gun violence prevention legislation.
Jacob Martinez, March for Our Lives Phoenix organizer, gave opening remarks and introduced Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, Democratic House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, and Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios.
Hoffman talked about her School Safety Task Force, which she funded with $21 million in COVID funds to hire school counselors; this improved the student to counselor rate in Arizona by 20%. What happens when the federal funds dry up? The Legislature has still not acted on this March for Our Lives request from 2019, even though we have had budget surpluses.
Bolding discussed Red Flag laws and other popular Democratic proposals to stop senseless gun violence. Unfortunately, the Legislative “majority”, which represents minority of Arizona voters, is loyal to the gun lobby and their campaign donations.
A follow up rally was held June 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. in both Phoenix and Tucson.