Kai Newkirk

Kai Newkirk
Newkirk in a Tempe, Arizona park in 2024
Newkirk in 2024
Born
Noah Kai Newkirk

(1980-08-26) August 26, 1980
Hinton, West Virginia, U.S.
EducationHampshire College (BA)
Known forCo-founder of 99Rise
Lead organizer of Democracy Spring
Disrupting Citizens United v. FEC arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court
Political party
Democratic
Spouse
​
(m. 2020)​
WebsiteCampaign website

Noah Kai Newkirk (born August 26, 1980) is an American organizer and activist. He co-founded the campaign-finance reform group 99Rise in 2012[1][2] and was the lead organizer of Democracy Spring, a 2016 sit-in at the United States Capitol in which more than 400 people were arrested in a single day demanding action on campaign-finance and voting-rights legislation.[3][4]

Newkirk first drew national attention in February 2014, when he interrupted oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States in a protest against Citizens United v. FEC; the action was captured in what was widely reported as the first publicly released video recording from inside the Court's chamber.[5][6][7] He has since organized protests directed at Donald Trump, Kyrsten Sinema, and Joe Biden.

Newkirk founded For All, a Tempe-based "center for nonviolent action and organizing," and has served as co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party's Progressive Council, where he supported the party's "People's Primary" resolution barring corporate and billionaire contributions in primary races.[8][9] In 2026, he announced a Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Representative Greg Stanton in Arizona's 4th congressional district.[10][11][12] He is married to immigrant-rights activist Erika Andiola.[8] Newkirk has described his work as grounded in the nonviolent traditions of Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, and Dolores Huerta.[13] He teaches mindfulness meditation in Tempe.[8]

Early life

Newkirk was born in Hinton, West Virginia. He has said his organizing work began with the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle.[5]

Activism

99Rise and Supreme Court disruption (2014)

In 2012, Newkirk co-founded 99Rise, a Los Angeles-based group inspired by Occupy Wall Street that aimed to build sustained nonviolent civil disobedience against the influence of money in politics.[1][2]

On February 26, 2014, Newkirk stood up during oral argument at the Supreme Court and called on the justices to overturn the Citizens United ruling.[5][6] Other 99Rise activists secretly filmed the disruption, and the group later released the footage, which was widely reported as the first publicly released video from inside the Court's chamber.[6] Newkirk was arrested at the protest[5] and was later barred from Supreme Court premises following his conviction.[7] Vice described him in a profile that year as a "longtime labor and environmental activist who cut his teeth in the global justice movement," and reported his goal of recruiting "a nonviolent army" of at least 10,000 people willing to commit civil disobedience to overturn Citizens United.[5]

In 2014, Newkirk also led 99Rise's 480-mile, 37-day California "March for Democracy" from Los Angeles City Hall to the California State Capitol in Sacramento, followed by twelve days of sit-ins at the Capitol.[2]

Republican presidential debate disruption (2015)

On December 15, 2015, Newkirk interrupted Donald Trump from the balcony during the CNN Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas, shouting that "the American people deserve free and fair elections, not billionaire auctions" before being removed from the venue.[14][15] Bustle profiled him afterward as the "heckler" who had previously made headlines for secretly recording a Supreme Court proceeding.[15]

Democracy Spring (2016)

Newkirk was the campaign director and lead organizer of Democracy Spring, a coalition that staged a ten-day march from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. followed by sit-ins at the U.S. Capitol from April 11–18, 2016, demanding congressional action on campaign-finance and voting-rights legislation.[3][4] Democracy Now! reported on April 12, 2016, that more than 400 people had been arrested on the first day of the Capitol sit-ins, with arrests continuing across the week.[4] Actor Mark Ruffalo pledged to join the sit-in.[3] Newkirk also addressed delegates outside the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in a C-SPAN segment carried during Washington Journal.[16]

Sinema primary pledge (2021–2022)

After moving to Arizona, Newkirk founded the Arizona Coalition to End the Filibuster. In September 2021, the coalition launched a Crowdpac pledge campaign threatening to fund a Democratic primary challenger to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema unless she voted to end or reform the Senate filibuster and to advance President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda.[17][18][19] NBC News described the effort as one of several progressive operations attempting to lay the groundwork for a primary challenge to Sinema in 2024.[17] The Daily Beast identified Newkirk as the leader of the Arizona-based effort and quoted him saying that "we're coming down to multiple inflection points of just tremendous significance for the country. We have to move her now. 2024 is too late."[20]

For All

Newkirk is the founder and president of For All, a Tempe-based "center for nonviolent action and organizing"[8] grounded in the nonviolent tradition of Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, and Dolores Huerta.[21][13] On September 28, 2023, he interrupted President Joe Biden during a speech at the Tempe Center for the Arts, shouting "Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency?" Biden offered to meet with him after the speech.[22][23][8]

In November 2024, Newkirk was among nine people arrested at a White House sit-in calling for a U.S. arms embargo on Israel over the Gaza war.[24]

Arizona Progressive Council (2024–present)

Newkirk has served as co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party's Progressive Council and supported the "People's Primary" resolution, which would bar corporate and billionaire contributions in the party's primary races.[9][25] He commissioned polling in support of the proposal and gathered the signatures needed to force a special party meeting on it, aiming to establish the practice ahead of the August 4, 2026 primary.[9] Arizona Capitol Times reported in January 2026 that the resolution had divided state Democrats over outside spending.[9]

Political views

Newkirk has identified as a democratic socialist[12] and has described his political framework as grounded in the nonviolent traditions of Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, and Dolores Huerta.[13] His activism has centered on campaign finance reform, voting rights, and climate action, pursued through nonviolent civil disobedience.[5][3][8] In a 2014 interview with Vice, he framed campaign finance reform as foundational to his other political goals, saying that "if we don't take on corruption and get big money out of politics, then we're not going to be able to do anything else."[5] In a separate 2014 interview, he said, "It should be the votes that matter, not the size of your wallet."[26] At the 2015 Republican presidential debate, he characterized the role of money in politics as "billionaire auctions" rather than "free and fair elections."[14][15]

In a 2021 essay in Waging Nonviolence co-authored with the Rev. Stephen A. Green, Newkirk advocated what he and Green called "Kingian democratic socialism," defining it as "the fusion of King's prophetic social vision, fully including his radical critiques not only of racism but also of capitalism and militarism, with his revolutionary methods of social change," and distinguishing it from other forms of socialism by what they described as an uncompromising commitment to political democracy and civil liberty.[13] The essay was republished by Common Dreams,[27] and Newkirk and Green discussed the framework on a December 2021 episode of Rev. Mark A. Thompson's podcast Make It Plain.[28]

Newkirk has called on the U.S. government to declare a climate emergency[8][23] and to enact an arms embargo on Israel during the Gaza war, framing the demand as one of upholding international humanitarian law.[24]

2026 candidacy for U.S. House

On March 12, 2026, Newkirk announced a Democratic primary challenge to incumbent U.S. Representative Greg Stanton in Arizona's 4th congressional district, which covers Tempe and parts of the East Valley.[10][11] His campaign platform calls for disbanding ICE, Medicare for All, an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, and tuition-free public college.[29] Newkirk has stated that the campaign refuses contributions from corporate political action committees, AIPAC, and billionaire-funded super PACs, relying instead on small-dollar grassroots donations.[29] Asked in 2026 whether he identified as a "democratic socialist," Newkirk said that he did.[12]

Personal life

Newkirk married progressive activist and immigrant-rights leader Erika Andiola in 2020.[8] He teaches mindfulness meditation in Tempe[8] and founded the Salt River Mindfulness Meditation Community.[21] Newkirk has been accused of grooming and has admitted to having a “sex addiction” - amongst a host of other controversies, leading to the Arizona Young Democrats rescinding their endorsement of his 2026 candidacy for AZ-4. [30][31]

References

  1. 1 2 Richard Wolf (January 21, 2015). "Protest on campaign spending disrupts Supreme Court". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Noah "Kai" Newkirk, 99Rise's co-founder ...
  2. 1 2 3 Steve R. Fujimoto (June 2, 2014). "99Rise CA March for Democracy in Tulare. 480 Miles. 37 Days. 1 Mission". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2026. co-founder Kai Newkirk, center, from 99Rise
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jennevieve Fong (February 18, 2016). "Actor Mark Ruffalo pledges to join Capitol sit-in". The Hill. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk, Democracy Spring's lead organizer ...
  4. 1 2 3 "Democracy Spring: Over 400 Arrested at U.S. Capitol Protesting Corruption & Money in Politics". Democracy Now!. April 12, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. More than 400 people were arrested Monday in a massive sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. ... [Kai Newkirk is] campaign director of Democracy Spring and co-founder and an organizer with 99Rise.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Peter Holley (March 4, 2014). "Activist Kai Newkirk Wants You to Disrupt the Supreme Court". Vice. Archived from the original on August 16, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Newkirk, a longtime labor and environmental activist who cut his teeth in the global justice movement, wants to raise a nonviolent army of at least 10,000 people ... "I've been a community organizer in different ways, in different movements, starting with the World Trade Organization protest in Seattle in 1999."
  6. 1 2 3 "Group that disrupted the Supreme Court posts video". The Washington Post. January 24, 2015. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2026. The group that disrupted the Supreme Court Wednesday morning on the fifth anniversary of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision has posted rare footage of the court chambers, where cameras are not allowed.
  7. 1 2 Mark Walsh (January 21, 2015). "View from the Courtroom: Disruption from the gallery on fifth anniversary of Citizens United". SCOTUSblog. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk, the leader of 99Rise ... was not present in the courtroom because he was still barred from the premises based on his conviction in the 2014 event.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Climate activist Kai Newkirk interrupted Joe Biden during Tempe speech". The Arizona Republic. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Arizona Democrats divided over plan to ban corporate and billionaire contributions". Arizona Capitol Times. January 22, 2026. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. said Kai Newkirk, co-chair of the party's Progressive Council.
  10. 1 2 "Progressive candidate enters Arizona CD4 race against Rep. Greg Stanton". KJZZ. March 12, 2026. Archived from the original on March 13, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. [Newkirk] is looking to unseat fellow Democrat Rep. Greg Stanton, who has represented Arizona in Congress since 2019 [in] Congressional District 4.
  11. 1 2 "Activist Kai Newkirk launches primary challenge to Greg Stanton in Arizona's 4th". The Arizona Republic. March 15, 2026. Archived from the original on March 17, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk is launching a campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton
  12. 1 2 3 "Progressive activist challenges Stanton in CD-4 Democratic primary". AZFamily. March 21, 2026. Archived from the original on March 22, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. When asked if he identifies as a democratic socialist, Newkirk said he does.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Kai Newkirk; Stephen A. Green (April 4, 2021). "Why Kingian democratic socialism is the best path forward for the progressive left". Waging Nonviolence. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026. By Kingian democratic socialism we mean the fusion of King's prophetic social vision, fully including his radical critiques not only of racism but also of capitalism and militarism, with his revolutionary methods of social change.
  14. 1 2 Charlotte Alter (December 15, 2015). "Republican Debate: Donald Trump Heckled by Protester". Time. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2026. VIDEO: Kai Newkirk of "99 Rise" protesting "billionaire politicians" at #GOPDebate
  15. 1 2 3 Melissah Yang (December 15, 2015). "Who Was Donald Trump's Heckler At The GOP Debate? Kai Newkirk Disrupts For An Important Reason". Bustle. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk is no stranger to taking a political stand and having his voice be heard. ... In 2014, the activist made headlines for secretly recording a Supreme Court proceeding and posting the footage online.
  16. ↑ "Kai Newkirk on Protesting the DNC". Washington Journal. C-SPAN. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk talked about Democracy Spring's protest at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
  17. 1 2 "Could Sen. Kyrsten Sinema face a primary? These progressives are trying to make it happen". NBC News. October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 19, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Kai Newkirk, who leads the Arizona Coalition to End the Filibuster
  18. ↑ "Activists who helped elect Kyrsten Sinema launch CrowdPAC to fund a primary challenger". Salon. September 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 13, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2026. What the CrowdPAC is meant to do, said Kai Newkirk, a lead organizer in building the Arizona Coalition to End the Filibuster
  19. ↑ "Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's filibuster speech has reenergized progressive efforts to find someone to primary and oust the Arizona Democrat". Business Insider. January 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Newkirk is one of the founders of the Sinema Primary Pledge
  20. ↑ Sam Brodey; Roger Sollenberger (October 6, 2021). "The Left Is Done Pressuring Kyrsten Sinema. Now They Want a Primary". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026. She hasn't moved yet, the clock is ticking, and we're coming down to multiple inflection points of just tremendous significance for the country. We have to move her now. 2024 is too late.
  21. 1 2 "Meet Kai". Kai Newkirk for Congress. Kai for Arizona. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026. Kai is devoted to the tradition of nonviolent leadership rooted in the ethic of loving our neighbors as ourselves embodied by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Mohandas Gandhi. ... Founder of For All, a center for nonviolent action and organizing. ... Founder of the Salt River Mindfulness Meditation Community.
  22. ↑ "Biden interrupted by climate protester, tells heckler that he will meet him 'immediately after' speech". Fox News. September 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Newkirk, the founder and President of For All ... was delivering remarks on democracy [at the Tempe Center for the Arts], while honoring the legacy of late U.S. Sen. John McCain.
  23. 1 2 "Who was the man who heckled President Biden during his speech in Tempe?". Yahoo! News. September 28, 2023. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Newkirk shouted during the speech, "Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency?" ... "You shush up, I'll meet with you immediately after this, OK?" Biden said. ... The heckler was Kai Newkirk, a progressive activist based in Tempe ... the founder of For All, a center for nonviolent action.
  24. 1 2 "'Uphold the Law': 9 Arrested at White House Demanding Arms Embargo on Israel". Common Dreams. November 12, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2026. organizer Kai Newkirk, who co-chairs the Arizona Democratic Party Progressive Council ... "Enact an arms embargo to impose a cease-fire and end our complicity in Israel's horrific war crimes in Gaza."
  25. ↑ "Arizona Democratic Party advances plan to bar billionaire money from primaries". Common Dreams. June 10, 2025. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. said Kai Newkirk, co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party Progressive Council. ... "AZ Dems made history today. We are the first state party in our nation to commit to ban billionaires."
  26. ↑ Chris Gentilviso (February 28, 2014). "Supreme Court Disruptor: The Justices Have Deepened 'Our Corruption Of Democracy'". HuffPost. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026. It should be the votes that matter, not the size of your wallet.
  27. ↑ Kai Newkirk; Stephen A. Green (April 8, 2021). "The Progressive Left Must Embrace Martin Luther King Jr's Vision of Democratic Socialism". Common Dreams. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Embracing Kingian Democratic Socialism". Make It Plain MIP with Rev. Mark Thompson. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on May 3, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Issues". Kai Newkirk for Congress. Kai for Arizona. Archived from the original on April 15, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026. Disband ICE, restructure DHS, and reform immigration laws and enforcement from the ground up ... Medicare for All. ... No more military aid to Israel for war crimes and genocide. ... Tuition-Free Public College & University. ... Unlike our opponent, we reject money from corporate PACs, AIPAC, and billionaire Super PACs. We're relying on grassroots support from everyday people like us.
  30. ↑ Reporter, ADI Staff (July 12, 2026). "Kai Newkirk Loses Key Democratic Endorsement Over 'Concerning Behavior'". Arizona Daily Independent. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  31. ↑ Meador, Anne (June 29, 2019). ""How Kai Newkirk's 'Extractive Activism' Left Destruction In Its Wake"" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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