Anti-voter bill put on hold. On Thursday, a federal judge halted the enforcement of a voter suppression law passed by Arizona Republicans. This was just one of over 100 anti-voter bills introduced last legislative session, all part of the GOP’s effort to subvert our elections systems after Trump lost in 2020. The law could have purged thousands of voters from the rolls, primarily targeting people of color and immigrants, just before the start of early voting in October. It is now on hold until 2023. Shout out to the Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander For Equity Coalition for their work to block this horrible law!

Filming law enforcement protected, for now. Last week, a federal judge blocked the enforcement of a new law passed by Republicans that would restrict how the public and journalists can film police. The law would have made it illegal to knowingly film police officers from 8 feet or closer, making it much more difficult to hold police accountable. The ACLU and media organizations sued on the grounds that the law violates the First Amendment of the Constitution, and the law is now on hold. Phoenix PD has been investigated in recent years for its use of force, “discriminatory policing” and for targeting and working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to falsely charge protestors. Footage of police encounters captured by bystanders has had significant impacts in making police misconduct public, and this right must be protected.