[Above: from May 2022, an MSNBC Panel discusses the adoption of the "Great Replacement Theory" by Republican lawmakers. - eds.] by Caitlin Sievers, Arizona Mirror March 16, 2023 A group of advocacy organizations that say they want more respect for their members who speak in front of Arizona legislative committees have asked Republican House Speaker Ben Toma to “address the bullying, angry, and intimidating behavior” of some legislators during committee meetings. The letter from two dozen left-leaning and progressive organizations was sent March 15, a week after Ben Scheel, a lobbyist for the left-leaning organization Opportunity Arizona who regularly speaks at committee meetings, was told he couldn’t use the phrase “conspiracy theory” when speaking to the House Elections and Municipal Oversight Committee. Committee Chair Jacqueline Parker, a Mesa Republican, later told Scheel he wasn’t welcome to speak in front of the committee again until he could be more respectful. read more