Arizona Democrats Celebrate ‘Defund The Police’ Activist as Pioneering Force for Change

By Matthew Holloway |

The Arizona List, a prominent pro-abortion lobbying organization, marked its 21st Annual Celebration on Saturday with a focus on resilience and future strategies, themed “How we regroup and come back stronger.” Among the honorees was Viridiana Hernandez, Executive Director of Poder in Action, recognized as a “trailblazer” in the movement. Former Arizona Senator Amanda Aguirre, now President/CEO of the Regional Center for Border Health, and Anakarina Rodriguez from Mi Familia Vota also received accolades during the event.

The celebration attracted notable attendance from seven Democrat state legislators, including Heley Creighton (LD7) and J’aime Moraine (LD30), as well as Cochise County Supervisor Theresa Walsh. Hernandez, known for her strong advocacy, previously urged for the defunding of police during a 2020 protest organized by Black Mother’s Forum in Phoenix. Her stance emphasized the need for systemic change rather than mere reforms.

Featured speaker Karen Finney, a CNN commentator and former adviser to Hillary Clinton, did not shy away from political commentary. She expressed concerns about Donald Trump’s influence, asserting he poses a risk to the nation, and criticized the Republican Party for allowing him to act as a puppet for foreign interests, particularly Vladimir Putin. Finney labeled Vice President JD Vance as “completely irrelevant” in the current political landscape, further commenting on the implications of Trump’s interactions with international leaders.

In conjunction with the celebration, the Arizona List released promotional messages on social media, including a note from Pima County Supervisor Adelita S. Grijalva, highlighting the significance of Women’s History Month and the contributions of women in leadership. Elma Alvarez, a Democratic nominee for the LD20 State House seat, shared her enthusiasm for honoring fellow activists such as Anakarina Rodriguez and Claire Knipe, praising the Arizona List for empowering women to pursue public office.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. For more updates, follow him on X or send tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.