Arizona immigration protesters hit the streets
More than a dozen people protesting Arizona's hard-line stance against illegal immigrants were arrested today, demonstrating that a ruling by a federal judge blocking most of the state's controversial new immigration law will not quell the furious debate over the issue here.
Despite yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton who emporarily put key parts of the law on hold, hundreds of demonstrators fanned out in Phoenix, arguing the state remains inhospitable to immigrants.
"It's not over yet," said Vanessa Bustos, 24, who chained herself to five other activists, blocking the door to the Maricopa County Jail. "There are other bills being enacted against the Latino community."
As if to highlight that point, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is launching his 17th "sweep," in which his deputies and volunteers fan out in immigrant neighborhoods, stop people for sometimes minor violations and then check their immigration status.
Arpaio has said the enjoinment of the law, SB 1070, does not take away any of his ability to try to drive illegal immigrants from the state. SB 1070 made that approach official state policy, arguing that illegal immigration has harmed Arizona.
The protesters, some of whom gathered well before dawn Thursday, marched to various venues in Phoenix, including the federal courthouse where Bolton issued her injunction.
Protesters later gathered near City Hall and Arpaio's headquarters, clutching signs that said "We reject racism" and "No racial profiling." Other signs proclaimed "No more raids."
People chanted "Stop 1070, we will not comply," while drums thumped in the background. A group of about 30 people locked arms and blocked a downtown intersection.
(Via LAT)
Despite yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton who emporarily put key parts of the law on hold, hundreds of demonstrators fanned out in Phoenix, arguing the state remains inhospitable to immigrants."It's not over yet," said Vanessa Bustos, 24, who chained herself to five other activists, blocking the door to the Maricopa County Jail. "There are other bills being enacted against the Latino community."
As if to highlight that point, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is launching his 17th "sweep," in which his deputies and volunteers fan out in immigrant neighborhoods, stop people for sometimes minor violations and then check their immigration status.
Arpaio has said the enjoinment of the law, SB 1070, does not take away any of his ability to try to drive illegal immigrants from the state. SB 1070 made that approach official state policy, arguing that illegal immigration has harmed Arizona.
The protesters, some of whom gathered well before dawn Thursday, marched to various venues in Phoenix, including the federal courthouse where Bolton issued her injunction.
Protesters later gathered near City Hall and Arpaio's headquarters, clutching signs that said "We reject racism" and "No racial profiling." Other signs proclaimed "No more raids."
People chanted "Stop 1070, we will not comply," while drums thumped in the background. A group of about 30 people locked arms and blocked a downtown intersection.
(Via LAT)
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