Monday, April 26, 2010

Thousands Rally against Arizona Immigration Law



Post at CBSNEWS.COM

A new law in Arizona will soon require police officers to check the immigration status of anyone suspected of being an undocumented immigrant. John Blackstone reports on this tough new law.

Protesters rally at the Arizona Capitol on Sunday, April, 25, 2010. Thousands called on President Barack Obama to fight a new Arizona law targeting illegal immigrants that critics say sanctions racial profiling.

Civil rights activists called on President Barack Obama to fight a tough new Arizona law targeting illegal immigrants Sunday, promising to march in the streets and invite arrest by refusing to comply if the measure goes into effect.

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona told about 3,500 protesters gathered at the state Capitol that the Obama administration can help defeat the law by refusing to cooperate when illegal immigrants are picked up by local police and turned over to federal immigration officers.

It is my expectation that the recent uproar from the Racist, Hateful right, to vanquish these "Evil Illegal Immigrants" will cause the President to bring the Immigration issue to the front burner...'bout time too. Remember when they say 10 or 15 million immigrants, one third of that number is children, so this issue should be dealt with quickly as the kids need legality to get College Financing, Healthcare etc.

"We're going to overturn this unjust and racist law, and then we're going to overturn the power structure that created this unjust, racist law," said Grijalva, a Democrat.

Obama has called the new law "misguided" and instructed the Justice Department to examine it to see if it's legal. It requires police to question people about their immigration status - including asking for identification - if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. Opponents say it would undoubtedly lead to racial profiling, because officers would be more likely to ask people who look Hispanic.

Discomfort over the law was also expressed as well at some Sunday religious services.

"I'm not in the place to where I would root out those who are in the country without documentation and hand that over to the authorities," said Rev. John Flowers, co-pastor of First United Methodist Church.

A controversial sheriff well known for his tough policies says the new law is exactly what's needed, and he is prepared to act, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his department has arrested some 38,000 illegal immigrants in the past three years and the new law will give him the tools to step up his efforts to combat the flood coming across Arizona's border with Mexico.

"I will arrest the people that are here under that new misdemeanor law and book them into our jails," Arpaio said.

But Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says many supporters of the law are not just misguided, they are racist.

"It's just morally wrong," he told Blackstone. "This country is not about having people wear arm bands with Jewish stars or in this case Hispanic brown symbols," Gordon said. He also called the law "clearly unconstitutional."

Supporters have dismissed concerns of racial profiling, saying the law prohibits the use of race or nationality as the sole basis for an immigration check. Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the bill into law Friday, has ordered state officials to develop a training course for officers to learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion someone is in the U.S. illegally.

Current law in Arizona and most states doesn't require police to ask about the immigration status of those they encounter, and many police departments prohibit officers from inquiring out of fear immigrants won't cooperate in other investigations.

The new law makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. Immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the U.S. could be arrested, jailed for up to six months and fined $2,500. It also allows lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/25/national/main6431657.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

There have been many people who are planning to go to Arizona to protest and cause disruption if the law is not changed or repealed, including Reverand Al Sharpton who is already putting plans in place and drum up outrage for the new law.

When they say 10 to 15 million Immigrants, one third of that number is children, who need legality to get College Financing, Healthcare etc, so it is good that we are seeing a move to address the issue sooner rather than later.

32 comments:

  1. Not that I would advocate this, but someone said maybe more people should call resorts and hotels in Arizona and ask to book their most expensive room/suite. Just when they ask for a name or credit card number, turn from the phone a bit and say, "What's that? you're telling me Arizona actually PASSED that racial profiling law?" Then the caller would say something like, "I'm sorry, but we're changing our vacation plans. I hear Michigan has more beaches, and cleaner air and water."

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  2. Dave, that is an excellent idea, when they see it affect commerce, they will think twice. Nice one.

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  3. But Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says many supporters of the law are not just misguided, they are racist.

    "It's just morally wrong," he told Blackstone. "This country is not about having people wear arm bands with Jewish stars or in this case Hispanic brown symbols," Gordon said. He also called the law "clearly unconstitutional."


    This law will not stand.

    I haven't listened, but does anyone know if FAUX News is condemning this "taking away freedoms" from Americans?

    How will the sheriff know who's a suspected illegal and who isn't?

    My nephew is an American and an adopted Columbian Indian. Imagine if he were to visit Arizona with his beautiful black, black hair and brown skin (and he loves to hang out in his scraggly jeans and dusty shoes.) He'd be stopped, I imagine, because he certainly fills the racial profile of an illegal.

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  4. If your future travel plans include Arizona, you'll need to bring:

    Your passport, birth certificate and at least three pieces of ID with your picture. And then they still might not let you over the state line unless you sign a loyalty oath.

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  5. Ya know, I really like Dave Dubya's idea...hmm. I'm rreeeeaaaalllyyyy likin' it :)

    Oh, and I'm liking this embedded music player, too! Very nice bling!

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  6. Thank you for posting this.
    We here in Arizona need all the help we can get.
    The public, business, and especially Obama has to take a stand on this.
    How can the Xtian right condone this?
    Oh, i forgot, they already have theirs.
    Shame on Arizona, And shame on America.

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  7. This is a hateful and Nazi-like law that must be struck down.

    One the other hand I was always taught whenever a fool is trying to hang himself just stand out of the way and let him continue. Please let the republicans embrace and fully claim this law as their own. While President Obama very well could go down to defeat in 2012 the current overwhelmingly homogeneous skin tone of the republicans is in fact a death knell for that party. With whitey on a scheduled date to minority status by the 2050's I hope I live long enough to see them fall by the wayside like the Soviet Union.

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  8. Great post, I am looking forward to legislation that offsets this, soon.

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  9. Shaw Kenawe, while I share your optimism that this unlawful issue will be properly resolved, I reserve my right to be totally Shocked and disgusted...but not surprised if the Repuglickers find a way around a solution.

    Tom Harper, I am as a matter of fact considering showing up with the group that will accompany Rev. Sharpton if it comes to it. This should be interesting...

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  10. Bee, I think it is an excellent idea, hit them where it hurts, in the wallet.
    I hope you found some music that you like in the player :)

    RealityZone, this is truly an attack from within, I hope we can solve it quickly and safely. Rest assured we stand united with you, here in New York. You may see a group of us over there soon.

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  11. Beach Bum, this is indeed hateful and Nazi like, and indeed it is as Republican as inbreeding and stupidity is. Repuglickers are having a great time, for them it's like Christmas come early.
    I agree they should be left to totally own this issue, elections would be a breeze. Unfortunately we will not go past 2012 because Jesus is coming to start the apocalypse.

    Bucko, I share your optimism...as far as I can throw a Repuglicker...look out for me and my boy Sharpton sometime soon.

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  12. I share your disgust but not your shock at this Teeluck.

    I agree with Chris Rock. Why are we still surprised when racism and bigotry rear their ugly heads?

    The republicans have pandered to these people all my life. They will tell you this is about "getting the federal government to do something." Which in itself is hypocritical of a group that demands less government all the time. Unless of course it either harrasses minorities or gives a tax break or zoning variance to a rich donator.

    But we all know that this is a ploy to keep the bigots voting republican in Arizona. It's no shock.

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  13. JUDGE TRUTH 101, this definitely is a move to woo bigots and their votes. They are circling the wagons and making a stand against Big Government, pulling all their racist friends into the fold. What they are counting on is the Government not getting this law removed. If the President does get it removed or changed they will then use that as a reason to get votes.

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  14. If any one comes to Az., let me know. I will help in what ever way I can.
    To understand what is going on here. People have to look at Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He has [round ups] raids. He brings all of his deputies, along with his Posse. He brings vans buses, a helicopter, you name it. He targets a certain neighborhood and their businesses. People run to their houses, lock the doors, turn off the light and sit in silence till they leave. This is not Nazi Germany. Or is it? Arpaio uses the Mexicans as his whipping boy. Look at Russell Pearce has made major racist remarks in the past. I am still so upset over this that I can not think straight.

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  15. This law is rather socialistic.

    I saw Larry King interview Sharpton and Arpaio last night. It was quite interesting, and for once Sharpton came out as 100% reasonable.

    This whole thing can blow up in spectacular ways. Just wait until the racial profilers mistake a Native American for an illegal Mexican and demand that he go back to his home country.

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  16. RealityZone, what happens to the crime rate when the Sherrif is taking all the resources to fight the immigrant population? Is he saying that he can run the Department without these resources being constantly available?

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  17. dmarks, who knew that Sharpton could be 100% right, lol.
    That is very interesting, to see the profilers making that demand for papers from a Native American...If he doesn't have papers and they arrest him, can he sue them if that happens?

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  18. Arpaio is in big trouble as it is.
    He has the Feds after him. HE has numerous civil rights law suits against him. His assistant is in financial trouble.
    People die in his prisons all the time. A while back they forgot about a female prisoner that was outside in a cage. She died. It gets 110-115 in the summer here. There are a lot of rumors out there that he is dirty, they just can not find the money. He is a very interesting guy. LOL. He is constantly under scrutiny but nothing YET.
    Do not forget, when cops pull a guy over, they will take him downtown, The Sheriffs office gets paid for each book in, from the cities. There is a big financial aspect of this that no one has covered yet. Plus he gets a per-diem for each prisoner.

    War is a racket, and so is this.

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  19. RZ, I am blown away that they have not arrested this Sherrif as yet.

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  20. Oh man, you guys have no idea.
    He had a contract in the small city out side of Phoenix where we have our business.
    His dept. was getting paid big money to patrol that city. The contract ran out, and the city did not renew the contract.
    He went crazy.
    On the last day of the contract, he brought in 100 sheriffs, his posse, and everything else he could muster up.
    They actually went to peoples doors. They went into businesses and used the [we heard there was a problem here] excuse.

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  21. RZ, This guy sounds more corrupt than Nixon.

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  22. Fox won't be complaining about freedoms being taken away because no white folks have been trashed.

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  23. Holte Ender, you sure are right about that!!

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  24. I'm with those who see a Arizona hurting itself, with this clearly discriminatory law and with the law allowing anyone to carry a concealed weapon wherever they want.

    I also think this law will be soon be history, if not when it gets to a state court, at least when it hits a federal appeals court. There's a glaring constitutional problem with it — something Gov. Brewer should know and should've used as her reason for not signing it. Of course, she's a GOP political hack, so she signed it.

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  25. S.W.
    Unfortunately here in "papers please" Arizona, even if she would not have signed it, it would have still become law. Crazy, Ha.

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  26. SW, I agree, Arizona is being hurt on so many levels, since there in now an ongoing boycott of the state and the economic activities it conducts.

    RZ, that is a procedure that is most alarming.

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  27. http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/04/27/20100427joe-arpaio-sheriffs-office-subpoena.html

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  28. ARIZONA: The "Showo-Me-Your-Papers" State!

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  29. They say that the cops can only question people in the process of arresting them for another crime. Sounds pretty good on paper. But I think that we all know how certain police officers operate (not all - some , I'm saying). They see a car with 5 Hispanics in it and, boom, they pull 'em over for changing lanes, etc.. Not the way to go about it at all, I agree.

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  30. Now Texas, Ohio, and Colorado want to enact the same type of law. This must be stopped NOW in Az.

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  31. Will:
    I agree, then why is it that the state can sue cities if they are not enforcing this law. How does the state know that cities are not enforcing the law.

    Sounds like a QUOTA SYSTEM to me.

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