A Love Letter to Arizona After the “Hands Off” Protest
By Dr. Leo Croft | Stix Intel | Stix Chat Series
Dear Arizona,
I just want to take a moment to tell you how proud I am of you. Truly. What you did on April 5th wasn’t just powerful—it was beautiful. It reminded me why I still believe in the people, in the fight, and in the spirit of this place we call home.
As I looked through the photos from the Hands Off protest in Phoenix, I didn’t just see signs or crowds—I saw community. I saw people standing up for one another, across race, age, identity, and belief. I saw determination in every raised fist, and care in every linked arm. I saw color, culture, and clarity.
What moved me most was how natural it felt. Like this wasn’t something Arizona had to force—it was something already in our bones. From the young folks holding signs with fearless eyes, to the elders standing steady in the heat, I could feel the heartbeat of resistance echoing through each image.
You didn’t show up for attention. You showed up because you knew it mattered.
You showed up for the people whose rights are under attack. For the women who refuse to be silenced. For the queer and trans communities who deserve safety. For Black, Brown, and Indigenous lives that have always carried the weight of this country’s contradictions. And even for those too scared or exhausted to show up themselves—you carried them, too.
What you did in those streets was more than protest—it was love in motion. It was protection. It was the spirit of Arizona refusing to be forgotten or misunderstood. Because this state isn’t just cacti and conservative headlines. This state is layered. It’s alive. It’s rebellious and rich with people who care enough to stand when standing is hard.
You reminded the country that Arizona is not just a battleground—it’s a stronghold. A place where voices won’t be pushed into the corners. A place where power doesn’t just sit in office chairs, it rises up in the streets, in sneakers, holding posters and hope.
To the organizers: thank you. You built something that mattered. To the artists, thank you for giving the moment a voice beyond the microphone. To the marchers—every step you took told someone watching that they’re not alone.
And to everyone who stood in that sun, chanted, cried, or even just showed up quietly with a sign—I see you. And I’m proud to stand with you.
This letter isn’t just for the people who made the news. It’s for every person in Arizona who believes in a better tomorrow and is willing to speak up for it. I know it gets tiring. I know sometimes it feels like we’re yelling into the void. But you reminded me that the void isn’t empty. It’s waiting. And when we fill it with truth, care, and courage—we make history.
Thank you, Arizona, for reminding me why we fight.
With respect and love,
Dr. Leo Croft
Stix Intel
“We’re not battleground. We’re the resistance.”
