4/19/26
Keep up the pressure! Bills are still being heard in the AZ Legislature this week; please take a few minutes to tell your elected officials to OPPOSE bills that violate the constitutionally required wall between church and state.
Contact your representatives and ask them to OPPOSE:
- SB1214: Regulates the use of stem cell and birth tissue therapies, classifying violations as a Class 5 felony.
- SB1011: Requires infant deaths to be reported to CDC (which AZ already does) and requires vaccination records to be reviewed by Medical Examiners in SIDS cases (which is also already done.) This is likely to be the first step in creating a state database linking childhood vaccines to SIDS, meant to discourage vaccination.
Contact your senator to OPPOSE:
- HCM2001: Designates Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization, which would limit who could work for and/or donate to. Religious discrimination.
- HCM2002: Designates Council on American Islamic relations as terrorist organization, which would limit who could work for and/or donate to. Religious discrimination.
- HCR2013: This resolution designates June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month.” Attempt to codify fetal personhood by formally declaring that human life possesses “inherent dignity from conception” and asserting a legislative responsibility to affirm the “sanctity of life” and assign legal protection to “preborn children.”
- HB2248: Prevents schools, employers, businesses, and government agencies from using basic health and safety requirements. It goes far beyond vaccines and could interfere with common-sense protections that help prevent the spread of illness, putting classrooms, workplaces, and vulnerable people at greater risk.
- HB4117
- HB4117: Prohibits protesting that would “disturb religious services.” An introduced amendment broadens this law; could be used to prevent peaceful, legal protests; allow LE to attack protesters, etc.
4/12/26
Don’t let up the pressure! Please take a few moments to contact your elected officials and tell them to OPPOSE bills that violate the constitutionally required wall between church and state. These bills will be heard on April 13.
Contact your representatives to OPPOSE:
- SB1013: Bans public schools from implementing hiring policies based on factors other than “merit” (who decides what “merit” means? You know who!) An attack on diversity, equity and inclusion that would allow for discrimination, including based on religious belief or lack thereof.
- SB1741: Forces school districts to allow religious groups to pull students from class for religious instruction. Would expose students to indoctrination.
- HB2133: Inspired by the white Christian nationalist blueprint Project 2025, would require written consent from anyone who’s digitally depicted in.a cartoon or AI video. Codifies censorship in the name of“protecting children.” Purposefully vague, broad language will be used to target LGBTQiA+ content and chill speech.
Contact your senator to OPPOSE:
- HB2043: Would make abortion a felony by adding “unborn child” to definition of homicide. Grants legal rights to fetuses, laying the groundwork to restrict IVF, contraception, etc. through fetal personhood.
- HB2060: Prohibits public educational institutions, including universities, from “encouraging or facilitating” abortions, includes sharing of resources, referrals, or assistance related to abortion services. Reminder: abortion is legal in Arizona.
- HB2086: Bans mask and vaccine requirements for schools, government entities, and even private businesses.
- HB2144: Legalizes court-ordered child support to the date of a positive pregnancy test, codifying fetal personhood.
- HB2184: Attempt to codify fetal personhood. Would allow for death certificates to be issued for embryos and fetuses before 20 weeks of gestation (before the point at which a fetus can survive outside the uterus). Replaces the term “fetus” with “unborn child,” requires doctors to tell anyone having an abortion that they may transfer the “bodily remains” to a funeral home.
- HB2411: Attempt to prevent “coerced abortion” by giving drugs that result in abortion without the patient’s consent. Will be used to harass and criminalize medical providers.
- HB2830: “Fetal and prenatal development” will be taught in school with anti-abortion bias; not defined as sex education so parents cannot opt out.
Please join us on March 27 at noon (PST) as we welcome Paul Engler, co-author of This Is an Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century.
Paul Engler is founding director of the Center for the Working Poor, co-founder of the Momentum training, and co-director of the Whirlwind Institute, a social change strategy center. He is author, with Mark Engler, of This Is An Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-first Century (Nation Books). Order a copy of the new edition on Bookshop.org here.
As the 57th Arizona Legislature gets underway, join us on January 16 at noon (AZ Time) for an update from Secular AZ’s Jeanne Casteen and friends.
Click here to RSVP for this virtual event.
Join us Friday, October 31, at 12p (PST) to learn more about Voter Choice Arizona and the benefits of final five voting.
Voter Choice Arizona is a non-partisan group of mostly volunteers with a mission of educating Arizona voters about how better ballots will improve elections, give them more voice and more choice, and lead to better outcomes for our state.
To learn more:
To learn more: https://voterchoicearizona.org/learn/ – Use this link to find basic information through our website, blogs and helpful videos.
To volunteer: https://nb.voterchoicearizona.org/volunteer – There are many ways to help bring about election reform.
To find Voter Choice Arizona events: https://nb.voterchoicearizona.org/calendar – Check out our calendar to find trainings, presentations, volunteer opportunities, and social events
To donate: https://voterchoicearizona.org/donate/
Join us Friday, November 21, at 12p (MST) to learn more about Unity Rising USA with Executive Director Jacob George.
Unity Rising is a youth-led organization working to build the power of young, working-class people through grassroots organizing, voter registration, and bold, simple messaging. Unity Rising works to empower students on college and high school campuses to challenge far-right extremist narratives, mobilize their communities, and become the next generation of elected officials who will work for justice, democracy, and an economy that works for everyone.
Learn more about Unity Rising. Jacob George is dedicated to ensuring representation for working-class people and youth. While in high school, he worked multiple jobs and spent many nights sleeping in his car. He is currently a student at Arizona State University, attending through grants and scholarships. As a Phoenix-area resident, Jacob decided to run and win his seat on the Balsz Elementary School Board to fight for the educators who fought so hard for him. He became involved in politics and has gained valuable experience running numerous Democratic campaigns and working with nonprofit initiatives—experience that will help propel Unity Rising across Arizona. As the founder of Unity Rising, he is committed to taking on Turning Point and amplifying the voices of working Arizonans. With the critical 2026 election approaching, Jacob believes in the power of grassroots action to shape a future that works for everyone.
Hey there, Secular FAM. A few months ago, we discussed the push to evangelize our public schools with the founders of the Secular Education Association. They discussed the “Christian” organization, Lifewise, and how they’re attempting to bring evangelical cultist indoctrination to minors across the country.
Now, this organization is bringing its hate-fueled curriculum to the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD), and we need you to share with the district why secular public schools are vital to our democracy.
The administrators of the DVUSD Lifewise Facebook page are promising that any rando can “sponsor” a student (at $30 a pop) and they will receive religious indoctrinationinstruction during school hours.
Arizona already allows for Release Time for Religious Instruction (RTRI), and the LDS Church has made it clear that they’re very supportive of this statute – and in some cases – overstepping their bounds. The next time you drive around the state, especially in rural and suburban areas, take a look at how many LDS temples are next door or across the street from high school campuses.
Calling all Tucson secular supporters: Please join us on October 11 at 2pm AZ time for a conversation with Secular AZ’s Jeanne Casteen and Eddie Chavez Calderon, hosted by the Secular Humanist Jewish Circle of Tucson.
We’ll discuss Secular AZ’s work in education and church and state separation issues, as well as Eddie’s work in advocacy, human rights, and fundraising.
- Where: Woods Memorial Library, 3455 North 1st. Avenue, Tucson, 85719
- When: 2-3:30p
Secular AZ Executive Director Jeanne Casteen has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award.
Secular AZ Development Director Eddie Chavez Calderon is a passionate advocate and activist whose life’s work is dedicated to championing immigration justice and civic education. With years of hands-on experience, Eddie has become a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change within immigrant communities. His journey from Mexico to the forefront of advocacy is a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Eddie’s activism is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and his profound connection to Judaism and Jewish ethics. He embodies the principles of social justice, compassion, and collective responsibility that are central to his faith. This spiritual foundation empowers him to fight tirelessly for the rights and dignity of all people, especially the marginalized and voiceless. Eddie’s inspiring leadership and relentless pursuit of a just society have made him a respected and influential figure. His work not only transforms policies but also touches lives, offering hope and a brighter future for countless individuals. Through his dedication, Eddie Chavez Calderon exemplifies the power of faith-driven activism and the enduring impact one person can have in the struggle for human rights and social justice.
Learn more about the Secular Humanist Jewish Circle.
Hey there, Secular FAM. A few months ago, we discussed the push to evangelize our public schools with the founders of the 
