Phoenix artists host benefit concert for unhoused community impacted by parks aid ban

It’s been over a month since the Phoenix City Council voted 6-3 in favor of the Safe Medical Treatment in Parks Ordinance (G-7467) and community advocates, organizers and, now, local bands are continuing to push back against the citywide regulation that limits medical treatment, food and water distribution in city parks that are frequented by Phoenix’s unhoused population — one that continues to increase in the face of high eviction rates, increased cost of living and lack of affordable housing options throughout the Valley.

In the latest protest against the ordinance, Arizona promoters, SlushyPresents, took action through artistic expression. 

“When we initially did the show and were doing the fundraising for it, we didn’t really know what it was going to go to, but Unsheltered Phoenix does have their summer fundraiser,” Isaac “Slushy” Smith, one of the SlushyPresents promoters, told CALÓ News. “That summer fundraiser goes to getting water, ice chests and electrolytes for the unhoused, and that is something that me and the bands have agreed are a very important thing we should donate and we should get donations for.”

With the help of headlining bands and performers like Beaver Creek, Fish Purse, Popular Star and Lily Lovestruck, SlushyPresents hosted a concert this past Saturday where 100% of proceeds and all collected donations went towards Unsheltered Phoenix’s ongoing mission to continue delivering life-saving, necessary aid to the unhoused communities following the implementation of the ordinance on June 7.

“It’s always great to get an opportunity to perform, because I love it, but when I know I’m doing it and we’re doing it for something that is — if it is stopped at the source, could actually change the way we live — of course, I want to be doing something,” Meggie W., the lead vocalist and member of Fish Purse, said.

Held at the community-run art incubator on Roosevelt Row, MySpace was packed with people of all ages and backgrounds as dozens gathered to participate in artistic resistance and provide essentials and monetary donations to their unhoused neighbors. By the end of the night, several cases of water and a jar filled with over $230 was collected to be delivered to Unhoused Phoenix and St. Mary’s Food Bank of Arizona.

According to an investigation conducted by The Arizona Republic, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix has soared by nearly 40% since the forceful clearing of “The Zone” encampment in 2024. Since then, Phoenix’s unhoused population has drifted and spread across the city.

“What inspired me is that as Phoenix continues to grow and develop, we’re starting to displace homeless and unhoused people… And, unfortunately, spreading out unhoused people like that, they’re not around care,” Smith said, speaking on what sparked the urge to host benefit concerts. “There’s nothing positive about doing something like this [ordinance]. You can only create negative and profound effects if we continue to push and further criminalize the unhoused population.” 

“Our recklessness and irresponsibility here will cost people’s lives,” District 7 Councilwoman Anna Hernandez said during the Phoenix City Council meeting when the approval vote was cast on May 6. She was one of only three councilmembers who voted against the ordinance that would require permits to provide aid at only select public parks. “We have increased the punishment for medical and harm reduction treatment and are now adding food distribution in our parks, which will carry a Class 1 misdemeanor, and that carries a maximum — per punishment — of three months probation, a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail.” 

Hernandez and District 4 Councilwoman Laura Pastor voted against the ordinance. District 2 Councilman Jim Waring also voted against the measure but he cited wanting to limit services entirely, instead of offering limited permits as the ordinance allows.

As the sweltering heat of Arizona summer sets in — along with the added risk of exposure to the elements — food, water and medical aid are vital for those who call city parks their temporary home. Many organizations have called the city ordinance inhumane and not at all effective in alleviating homelessness and helping people find shelter and housing on the streets of Phoenix. But even as the city targets harm reduction programs, which have been proven to significantly lower the amount of overdoses among people battling addiction and have cut the rate of HIV and Hepatitis C exposure in half, according to the SAFE Project, as well as food and water distribution efforts, there is an ongoing fight to repeal the ordinance altogether. 

In a recent win for ministries and non-profits who hope to continue their work providing emergency relief for those in need, the U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Kanham recently issued a two-week temporary restraining order that would prevent the city ordinance from punishing the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church’s outreach non-profit, St. Herman’s Table. The ministry, which has been providing meals to the unhoused at Cave Creek Park for the past eight months, has been outspoken at city council meetings and now in legal proceedings, arguing that limiting their ability to feed the needy infringes on their religious practices. 

“The fact that this becomes a First Amendment fight for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, when in reality it’s just giving healthcare and giving food to homeless people, is kind of a bizarre and weird situation,” Smith said. “I think raising awareness on the nuances and getting to a community and letting the city of Phoenix know that this is not necessarily a thing that a normal person really agrees upon and wants to do. This is kind of a very, very terrible thing to be happening.” 

SlushyPresents encouraged people to catch their upcoming shows throughout the summer and to continue bringing donations to these events to support the organizations still providing assistance and aid across Phoenix city parks; either monetary or perishable contributions are appreciated.

Analisa Valdez (she/her) is a freelance journalist based in Phoenix. Her reporting includes community & culture, social justice, arts, business, and politics.