Tempe advocates challenge new city ordinance with a ballot referendum

When the Tempe City Council passed a new ordinance tightening the rules on lawful gatherings on city property and in parks, a coalition of advocacy groups began gathering signatures to challenge the rule and put the issue in the hands of Tempe voters directly.

The ordinance passed July 2 in a unanimous 7-0 vote. Hundreds of protesters showed up to the meeting to challenge the rule both inside and outside the courthouse, delivering hours of public comment and others protesting outside, too.

Despite the efforts from concerned advocates, who argue that rules like this could directly harm the work of nonprofits who engage in mutual aid efforts for unhoused populations, the ordinance passed and is poised to go into effect next month.

Now, advocacy groups are fighting back.

The Phoenix Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Tempe 1st, AZ Hugs, New Deal Meal, the Arizona Young Democrats, and Tempe Neighborhoods Together are canvassing to put the issue on the ballot and let Tempe voters decide directly.

If the group succeeds in getting the 2,440 necessary signatures by Aug. 1, 2025, the rule will be on the ballot for the next City Council election on March 10, 2026.

The new rule, which city officials say will help improve event planning for everyone, requires permits for certain gatherings. The cost of the permit depends on the location and the number of people at the event. 

Some permits, such as for neighborhood events for HOAs, and running groups that gather at the parks before leaving for trails, are free. For other events, Tempe residents looking to reserve space on city property will now have to pay between $8 to $25.

For gatherings of at least 30 people, like mutual aid events often hosted by advocacy groups, organizers will need to apply for a city permit. 

Sarah Covey, an organizer with Phoenix DSA, argues that this new rule is a red-tape effort to make mutual aid more difficult and further criminalize homelessness in Tempe.

“It’s a significant barrier to mutual aid activities and charity activities that are going on here in Tempe, and it does not set a good precedent for other cities,” said Covey. “It encroaches upon our civil liberties, like the freedom of assembly.”

Phoenix DSA frequently works alongside other nonprofits to host mutual aid events that provide food and other services to people in need. The group said the city has especially cracked down on these events in recent months, sending police and park rangers to its “Really Really Free Market,” at Daley Park in March, an event that has run for years to provide free resources to community members.

The market was unable to operate for two months as the group scrambled to find an indoor venue instead.

“This is not what Tempe is about. Tempe is about its people, and we’re determined to turn this over. We want to put the vote back in the hands of the people,” said Covey.

Austin Davis, the director of AZ Hugs, a nonprofit that provides aid to the unhoused, is banned from every park in Tempe until 2026 after years of back and forth with the city for his advocacy work.

Davis was banned after continuing to host picnics– which provided meals to the unhoused – without following the proper permit procedures, amassing over 30 violations. 

For Davis, this ordinance is nothing new. He’s been targeted by city officials for years, and now it’s just one more hurdle to the organization’s work.

“It’s so disappointing. If you look at what’s happening on a national scale with the Trump administration, compared to what local municipalities are doing, Tempe is just following the Trump playbook.” said Davis.

What keeps Davis optimistic is knowing the community will show up to push back against these policies and continue fighting for unhoused populations.

“What’s been really inspiring—and the heart of this whole situation—has been the community here in Tempe: the neighbors, students at ASU, and people who live and work in the city who believe that those experiencing homelessness deserve access to basic human rights,” said Davis. “They’ve shown they’re willing to stand up for the most vulnerable in their community.”

Phoenix DSA hosts Saturday morning canvasses at different Tempe parks to spread the word and give residents a direct say in its implementation. The groups also have petitions available at several businesses across Tempe, including Bottleshop 48 and The Plant Mill during regular business hours, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends at Brick Road Coffee and Changing Hands Bookstore.