Crossing Party Lines: Mesa, AZ

4.6•126 ratings

About us

Civil, respectful conversation with people with different political views?

Yes, it is possible. We’re doing it and you can, too.

Crossing Party Lines is YOUR brave space to meet and talk with people you disagree with and may not even understand. You might have fun!

Our events include:

- DISCUSSIONS: We meet as small groups where you can talk to real people about the issues that divide us. Share your unique insights, encounter new perspectives and new ways of looking at the world, and experience what it's like to feel heard and understood.

You'll find that it is possible to disagree in a way that leaves you feeling true to yourself and your beliefs without losing your friends or your cool.

- WORKSHOPS: We teach the skills you need to effectively talk across differences. You will learn ways to foster curiosity and invite listening, acquire strategies for overcoming common communication barriers, and develop the confidence to talk politics with people you know, live, and work with.

- COMMUNITY EVENTS: We’re not just about talking – we’re also about community. We host game nights, screen videos, share books, and offer many other ways of connecting across differences.

At all events, trained facilitators set the tone of the discussion and help the group build trust. Come see what civil, respectful conversation is like. Who knows, you might make friends with someone you disagree with!

More about Crossing Party Lines:

We are a national nonprofit with chapters in eight states. Because we believe that the success of America’s unique democracy relies on the diversity of our viewpoints, we encourage people of all political views and parties to join and participate.

Come learn, explore, practice, and grow with us. Join this grassroots movement and become the change in your community.

Note: Due to COVID, most of our events are online. Unless otherwise stated, events are open to all Crossing Party Lines chapters, giving you a chance to interact with people from all over the country.

Upcoming events

See all

Voting Rights Act: Then and Now
Thu, May 28 · 5:00 PM MST
·
Online
Online
This event will be held online May 28 at 5pm-7pm PT/8pm-10pm ET

REGISTER HERE

Because we have been having issues with the correct date/time not showing up on Meetup, we encourage you to register at the link above to receive your Zoom link and confirmation email.

The 1965 Voting Rights Act is widely considered one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. Over the decades, the law has shaped conversations about voting access, representation, discrimination, and the role of government in elections. More recently, Supreme Court decisions involving the Voting Rights Act and voting districts have renewed debate about how representation should be determined and what role race should play in drawing district boundaries.

At the same time, conversations about redistricting often involve more than one concern. Some people focus on protecting minority representation and preventing discrimination, while others raise questions about political influence, fairness, or the ways district lines can benefit political parties or incumbents. At this meeting, we’ll explore how people think about voting rights, representation, and fairness in light of these ongoing changes.
Are Checks and Balances Still Working?
Sun, May 31 · 5:00 PM MST
·
Online
Online
This event will be held online May 3 at 5pm-7pm PT/8pm-10pm ET

REGISTER HERE!

Because we have been having issues with the correct date/time not showing up on Meetup, we encourage you to register at the link above to receive your Zoom link and confirmation email.

The system of checks and balances is a foundational part of the U.S. government, designed to ensure that no single branch holds too much power. Recent events have made people question whether these checks and balances still can hold. At this meeting, we’ll explore how checks and balances operate today and what they mean for the balance of power in government.

We’ll ask questions such as:
- What’s working with checks and balances, and what aspects aren’t working?
- How has partisan politics affected the ways checks and balances work?
- When, if ever, should one branch have more influence than the others?
- How can we better ensure that each branch maintains independence?
This will be an opportunity to explore different perspectives on how power is shared, limited, and exercised within the U.S. government.
Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.
We would love to hear your thoughts on our social media pages. Don't miss topic announcements, updates, news!

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- Instagram @crossingpartylines
- Twitter @crosspartylines
- Facebook @crossingpartylines