On Oct. 18, over 8,400 residents across Arizona’s 8th Congressional District — represented by Rep. Abe Hamadeh — gathered for No Kings, a nationwide day of peaceful protest affirming that democracy belongs to the people. Ten protest sites stretched across Phoenix, Anthem, Peoria, Glendale, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise.
From start to finish, the day was peaceful. Except for one hit-and-run incident involving a golf cart driver in Sun City, there were no arrests, minimal confrontations and a great deal of mutual respect.
Participants exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly, and the vast majority of passersby responded with equal calm and courtesy — and many with equal enthusiasm. It was a day that reflected well on both sides of the political aisle — a reminder that disagreement doesn’t have to mean incivility, aggression or violence…