Vice Mayor Hodge Washington: CTI Approved, New ‘Know Your Rights’ Website Now Live

Yesterday, I, alongside Mayor Gallego and my colleagues on the Phoenix City Council, voted to approve the Community Transparency Initiative to address concerns about how federal law enforcement activities adversely impacts our community. 

I truly appreciate the members of our community for being so engaged on this critical issue. This comprehensive framework was shaped by residents who courageously shared their stories, lived experiences, concerns, and suggestions with us over the past several weeks. 

We heard numerous firsthand accounts of the fear that so many in our community are feeling right now. Many expressed their loved ones are unwilling to leave their homes even to get groceries, and students are not attending school. This is a textbook chilling effect. The most impactful stories I heard were about the children in our community and the lasting trauma they are experiencing. 

While Arizona’s legal environment places limitations on what cities can do, the Council acted to use the tools available to us under the law  to increase transparency and protect civil rights. 

I’m proud to share that one of the first items from the approved initiative is now live: the City’s CTI website and “Know Your Rights” page, offering multilingual resources for residents, businesses, schools, and community partners. 

You can access the page, along with information on all CTI action items, at: 

Phoenix.gov/knowyourrights

Thank you to every resident and organization that helped guide this work. Your voices will shape our path forward, and I am committed to continue working alongside you as the CTI implementation moves ahead. 

-Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington