Free speech is not optional in America. It is the cornerstone of democracy, enshrined in the very First Amendment of the Constitution. The First Amendment protects the right of the people to speak freely, to assemble peacefully, to criticize those in power, and to demand accountability. It was placed first for a reason: without it, every other freedom is weakened.
Here in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, Congressman Abe Hamadeh has shown again and again that he does not respect that right. Instead of honoring free speech, he has escalated his attacks on it.
Exploiting Tragedy to Silence Critics
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Congressman Hamadeh posted this on social media:
“The media and the left have spent years calling patriotic Americans:
• White supremacists
• Insurrectionists
• Election deniers
• Nazis
• Racists
• Threats to democracy
The demonization needs to stop. NOW. Before more people get hurt.”
This is not a defense of patriotism. It is an attempt to exploit a national tragedy in order to silence criticism. Hamadeh is trying to redefine free speech — to suggest that calling out extremism, even using factual terms like “election denier,” is dangerous and must stop.
That is not leadership. That is scapegoating. And it is an attack on the First Amendment.
A Pattern of Escalation
This is not an isolated statement. It is part of a troubling pattern:
- Constituents have reported that when they call Hamadeh’s office, staff tell them we are “violent.”
- His District Director, Joshua Lyons, ordered a protesting constituent’s car towed and then denied it.
- Hamadeh has publicly claimed we are “paid professional protestors.”
- Now, he has escalated further by exploiting the murder of Charlie Kirk to imply that his critics are to blame for political violence.
From dismissing us, to smearing us, to blaming us for the actions of others — the escalation is clear.
The Truth About Our Record
The record speaks for itself:
- In 2025 alone, more than 6,000 of Hamadeh’s constituents have joined us at over two dozen protests across Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in the Northwest Valley, the area Hamadeh is supposed to represent.
- Every single event has been peaceful.
- There has been no violence, no arrests, not even a single incident requiring police intervention except for medical emergencies.
- Both the Peoria Police Department and the Surprise Police Department have confirmed to the media that our demonstrations have been safe and lawful.
- We have consistently coordinated with law enforcement — including Surprise PD and Phoenix PD — before every event.
Meanwhile, when Congressman Hamadeh recently hired a new security director for his district office, we reached out immediately in good faith to coordinate for safety. We’re still waiting.
That tells you everything you need to know: we work to keep things peaceful. He works to escalate.
Why the First Amendment Matters
The First Amendment doesn’t exist to protect the powerful. It exists to protect the people. It gives us the right to criticize leaders, to gather in the public square, and to call attention to injustice. It ensures that accountability flows from the bottom up, not the top down.
When an elected official tries to equate criticism with violence, he is not protecting democracy — he is undermining it. Silencing dissent is not patriotism. It is authoritarianism.
We believe the First Amendment should always have prominence in our society. It was written first for a reason. Without it, democracy becomes fragile. With it, the people retain their power.
We Will Not Be Silenced
The facts are clear: our protests are massive, peaceful, and responsibly coordinated with law enforcement. Congressman Hamadeh’s rhetoric is inflammatory, escalating, and false.
Free speech belongs to the people. It is our right to use it — and we will.