Thread: Immigration Activists March Through Downtown Phoenix

Immigration Activists March Through Downtown Phoenix

Updated: Friday, 23 Mar 2012, 9:17 PM MST
Published : Friday, 23 Mar 2012, 5:32 AM MST

TEMPE, Ariz. - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is once again the target of another protest.

Earlier in the week, more than 100 students unexpectedly took to the streets, blocking the road near 75th Avenue and Indian School during rush hour -- saying they were illegal and they're sick of living in fear.

Friday, hundreds marched through downtown Phoenix for the Dream Act and against Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- through a joint effort by two national human rights groups, Puente and MECHA.

"He should know way more about the stress and what people have to go through to give their families a better life," said Sandra Castro Puente.

They are protesting against the Sheriff, claiming he is unfairly targeting Hispanics in his fight against illegal immigration. Demonstrators carried huge puppets to symbolize Sheriff Arpaio's deputies as they walked through downtown Phoenix.

"I decided to face my biggest fear and challenge Arpaio and let him know that we are no longer afraid, he cannot do anything to us!" said Viridiana Hernandez, who was arrested Tuesday.

At Tuesday's protest, hundreds of students spoke out against Arpaio and said they're in the country illegally -- brought to the U.S. as babies. Six people were arrested, but Immigration Customs Enforcement decided not to deport them.

Friday's march began at 2:30 p.m. at the Civic Space Center. The students made stops at the 4th Avenue Jail, Arpaio's office, and ICE headquarters. It was much more peaceful this time, and no one was arrested. Police actually stopped traffic for the protesters.

"This is inspirational. This is the kind of courage it's going to take to change not only law, which will be changed, but attitude," says activist Alfredo Gutierrez.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio believes the protesters are using him as a poster boy and should be focusing their efforts in Washington, but Gutierrez disagrees.

“He has made himself the icon of hate, Arpaio represents evil to the Latino community. Whether you are in Texas, California or New York and he made himself that.”

The protest coincided with a convention in town. Many marchers were actually from schools outside of Arizona.

Immigration Activists March Through Downtown Phoenix

Many marchers were actually from schools outside of Arizona.

This was on a school day.
Shouldn't those students have been in school?

If they had half the energy and determination to march in their own country, what a wonderful place Mexico might be.

And WHERE were the American "marchers"??? This is why Illegals win, because they are out there being seen and heard!

Originally Posted by ShawnX5

And WHERE were the American "marchers"??? This is why Illegals win, because they are out there being seen and heard!

Well, we were like working to like make money to like live on and like pay our bills!
Cmon.....Where are the little darlins of entitlements getting their booty!? And where were YOU!?
Naw...I love ya man but "believe me" going to these are trouble......See ya 3/31 at Joe's news conference in Sun City!