Amid chants of 'Si se puede,' community activists Guardado and Garcia take seats on Phoenix City Council

Excitement and hugs filled the air at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix for the Thursday inauguration of two new Phoenix City Council members – Betty Guardado from District 5 and Carlos Garcia from District 8. 

Families with young children mingled among the crowd, a mix of suits and dresses, union logos and campaign T-shirts. A mariachi band played lively tunes before the ceremony began.

The theme of the day was two political outsiders who had gained respect and support in their communities by mobilizing movements and inspiring other leaders.

When Mayor Kate Gallego, city council members and the two newly elected members filed on stage, the audience greeted them with a long standing ovation and a chant of “si se puede,” or “yes we can.” After Guardado and Garcia took their oaths of office, the crowd again stood for loud applause and cheers.

In her opening remarks, Gallego said “the future of Phoenix is bright” under these new leaders. Gallego credited Guardado for her long commitment to organizing and advocating for better working conditions. And Gallego called Garcia one of Phoenix’s best known civil rights leaders.

Both Guardado and Garcia spoke about their origins, their work, and their hopes. Guardado highlighted her worker advocacy and Garcia his experiences fighting for migrant and social justice.

Garcia referred to himself and Guardado as candidates who "ruptured the mold of who usually runs."

“I wasn’t supposed to graduate high school, go to college, help start an organization and support a movement that has changed the course of this state forever," Garcia said. "I wasn’t supposed to be standing here as an elected official. But here I am.”

After the ceremony, both new members posed for photos with long lines of excited friends and supporters in the City Hall Atrium. In a brief moment away, Garcia reflected on the inauguration and his path forward.

He said after the long campaign, he is now ready to get to work. In his eyes, the resounding cheers, standing ovations, and “si se puede” chants mean more than support – they mean responsibility to serve his district and Phoenix well.