The Power of Showing Up

Showing Up Gets Results: What Chandler Just Proved — and Why Mesa Must Follow Suit

Last night, Chandler residents sent a powerful message to their city leaders: When a community shows up, its voice can change the outcome of major decisions.

At a packed City Council meeting on December 11, hundreds of Chandler neighbors weighed in on a controversial proposal to rezone 40 acres in the Price Road area for a new AI‑focused data center. After hours of testimony and visible community turnout, the Chandler City Council voted unanimously (7‑0) to reject the rezoning for the new data center — a clear victory for residents who came out, spoke up, and made their concerns heard. ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)+1

People raised concerns about noise impacts, strain on water and energy resources, and quality of life for neighborhoods near the proposed site. Even though supporters argued such a facility could bring jobs and economic growth, the council responded decisively to the voices of community members who showed up and made it clear they wanted better. https://www.azfamily.com

This moment in Chandler is a real, recent example of how local civic engagement can change the direction of public policy — even in the face of powerful interests and well‑funded development proposals.

Why This Matters for Mesa — and the Fight Against 287(g)

In Mesa, the 287(g) agreement with ICE stands as a harmful policy that continues to put immigrant families, students, and neighbors at risk. This agreement empowers local law enforcement to act on behalf of federal immigration enforcement, eroding trust and community safety.

Yet unlike Chandler’s recent zoning vote, sustained community pressure and turnout have been lacking — and as a result, Mesa’s leadership has not felt the same urgency to reconsider this agreement.

The contrast is clear:

• In Chandler, community turnout changed the outcome of a major land‑use decision. ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)

• In Mesa, the absence of visible, organized pressure has allowed a deeply impactful policy like 287(g) to persist.

This shows us clearly: councils listen when we show up — in numbers, with consistent presence, and with unified voices demanding change.

Your Presence Is a Tool — Not Just a Gesture

City council meetings aren’t just procedural events — they’re opportunities for everyday people to influence decisions that shape our cities, our neighborhoods, and our lives.

When you show up:

✅ Officials see that the issue matters to voters.

✅ Media pays attention and spreads the story.

✅ Neighbors learn that they’re not alone.

✅ Leaders know in future votes that the community is engaged and watching.

In Chandler, that turnout turned a potentially transformative development into a community victory. ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)

We can do the same in Mesa — but only if we commit to showing up before decisions are already made.

How You Can Make a Difference

📅 Attend the next Mesa City Council meeting. RSVP Here.

🗣️ Sign up to speak — even for one minute.

📣 Bring a friend or neighbor.

📧 Email council members ahead of time with your concerns.

📱 Share updates on social media to spread the word.

Our voices are powerful — not because they’re loud, but because when enough of us use them together, local leaders have no choice but to respond.

Let’s take a page from Chandler’s playbook: Show up, speak up, and make change happen — starting with ending 287(g) in Mesa. ✊🏽