MoveOn officially launched its nationwide We Won’t Back Down tour in downtown Phoenix on Sunday, drawing an energized crowd for a night of progressive speeches, electoral strategy, and grassroots motivation. The event, held at The Van Buren, marked the first stop in a campaign designed to mobilize voters in key battleground districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Phoenix, AZ — August 3, 2025
With Arizona’s hotly contested House seats at the forefront, the rally spotlighted Republican Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6) and David Schweikert (AZ-1), Andy Biggs (AZ-5) both of whom are high-priority targets for Democrats seeking to flip control of the U.S. House.
The evening featured remarks from a lineup of high-profile Democratic leaders, including Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). MeidasTouch’s Adam Mockler served as host for the evening.
Freshman Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who represents parts of Phoenix and the youngest representative to run one of the largest cities in the U.S., spoke passionately about Arizona’s future and the state’s frontline role in resisting what she called the “a gangster regime.”She called out current Republican lawmakers, David Schweikert, Eli Crane, and Andy Biggs for voting in favor of what she described as “Trump’s disgusting, horrendous bill” that cuts funding to medicare and benefits the wealthy.
Rep. Crockett delivered one of the night’s most fiery speeches, blasting President Donald Trump and accusing of thinking he is a king. She reminds the people, “there are real people that care and love this country – they will take the death threats that a person like me that has to take because we know that you are worth it”
Sen. Murphy focused on the need for Democrats to reach beyond their traditional base, urging activists to find common ground with voters disillusioned by Republican extremism. He criticized the trump administration – “they have one key goal to silence – to try and destroy the ability to speak up” Murphy told the crowd.
The event centered on several key policy areas: protecting healthcare access, defending voting rights, safeguarding democracy, and rolling back tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Attendees and speakers alike expressed concern over the Supreme Court’s recent rulings and ongoing ethical controversies, GOP efforts to curtail reproductive rights, and new attempts to gerrymander districts in states like Texas.
The audience included a mix of Arizona State University students, longtime organizers, and first-time volunteers. Despite the summer heat, the energy inside The Van Buren was high with chants, applause, and standing ovations throughout the evening.
The We Won’t Back Down tour will continue throughout the fall, with its next stop scheduled for August 23 in Omaha, Nebraska, where MoveOn will turn its focus to Republican Rep. Don Bacon. Other upcoming stops will include appearances from prominent progressives such as Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL).
With the stakes high and the 2026 elections on the horizon, MoveOn’s Phoenix rally served as both a call to action and a warning: the battle for democracy is far from over and those who want change can’t afford to sit out the fight.
Listen to the full event:
