FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2025
Contact: media@northwestvalleyindivisible.org
Surprise, AZ – More than 200 constituents gathered at the Universalist Unitarian Church on March 17 for a People’s Town Hall after Representative Abraham Hamadeh declined repeated requests to hold a public forum. Attendees raised concerns about various issues including voting rights, healthcare, and government accountability, directing their comments to an empty chair labeled with Rep. Hamadeh’s name.
For weeks, constituents called, emailed, and visited Hamadeh’s office seeking a town hall—only to be ignored. Office doors remained locked, most phone calls went unanswered, and emails received only generic replies, if any. Those who protested or visited in person were most recently met with blocked parking lot entrances and a tow truck on standby, tactics used to discourage engagement with their elected representative.
“Our elected officials should be listening to us, not shutting us out,” said Brent Peak, a member of Northwest Valley Indivisible. “This town hall sent a clear message: the people of Arizona’s 8th District expect representation, not silence.”
Northwest Valley Indivisible notified the Surprise Police Department in advance of visits to Hamadeh’s office, and organizers expressed appreciation for their professional and respectful engagement. The barriers constituents faced, they emphasized, did not come from law enforcement but from those seeking to insulate Hamadeh from public accountability.
Former Navajo Nation President and 2024 Congressional Candidate Jonathan Nez addressed attendees at the town hall, delivering a powerful message on the importance of civic engagement and holding elected officials accountable. His remarks reinforced the demand for accessible leadership and public dialogue.
Brent Peak also spoke at the event, reflecting on the six-week effort to secure a meeting with Rep. Hamadeh. He highlighted the repeated calls, locked office doors, and increasing obstacles faced by constituents. ‘You can shut us out, but you cannot shut us up,’ Peak stated, emphasizing the persistence of engaged voters in Arizona’s 8th District. A full transcript of his remarks, ‘Why We’re Here,’ is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kVars5aVNWFSxZVXjNsZVT5nmzUrW8np/view?usp=drive_link.
Continued Pressure for Public Engagement
Constituents also pushed back against false claims made by Hamadeh’s staff to callers requesting a town hall, including accusations that the event was ‘fake’ and that attendees were being paid to participate. Organizers denounced these statements as deliberate attempts to discredit engaged voters demanding accountability.
Efforts to secure meaningful engagement from Rep. Hamadeh will continue. Constituents are encouraged to call his office at 623-776-7911 to request a public town hall. Additionally, Northwest Valley Indivisible is planning continued protests at Hamadeh’s district office in Surprise. Those interested in participating can sign up at:
https://www.mobilize.us/northwestvalleyindivisible
“This movement is only growing. Constituents will continue showing up and demanding accountability until Rep. Hamadeh listens,” said Peak.