For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

Contact: Josselyn Berry, Jberry@azdem.org
 

RGA Pulls Offensive, Q-Anon Linked Ad From Airwaves After Scathing Report and Activist Backlash

PHOENIX–The RGA has pulled its offensive, Q-Anon linked ad after a scathing report by the Arizona Mirror found it featured a fake human trafficking advocate and backlash ensued from real domestic violence advocates. In the ad, Traci Hansen calls herself an “advocate for human trafficking victims,” but has “no ties to legitimate groups that combat human trafficking.” She did however participate in a “Q-Anon-adjacent march on the Arizona Capitol” and fundraised for an organization that has “embraced Q-Anon.” 

Kat Stratford, a single parent and a survivor of sexual and domestic violence saw the RGA ad and was appalled they would promote a Q-Anon disciple with “no ties to legitimate groups that combat human trafficking.” In 2014, Stratford was certified as a rape crisis advocate by the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, and has advocated for policies and reforms to help survivors.

“I was simply floored that the RGA chose to use a fake advocate to attack Katie Hobbs. As a survivor and advocate myself, I can tell you how dangerous it is that people like Traci Hansen push conspiracy theories that endanger the people they claim to protect and undermine the very important work real advocates are doing to stop human trafficking,” Stratford said. “The damage done by Traci and her allies causes delays in emergency services to real victims of human trafficking crimes, and they promote violence against elected officials named in their misinformation campaigns.” 

Hansen fundraised for an organization that has “embraced Q-Anon” and she also attended a “QAnon-adjacent” rally organized by local conspiracy theorist Adel Belgaied, who was one of the “Stop the Steal” organizers. Only a few days ago, Kari Lake appeared in a photo with Belgaied at a Turning Point Action event. This builds on Lake’s long history of embracing the dangerous QAnon conspiracy movement. 

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