Arizona immigration law: Sharpton vows protests if law isn't repealed
by JJ Hensley - May. 5, 2010 08:03 PM


The Rev. Al Sharpton vowed to bring "freedom walkers" to Arizona this summer to engage in non-violent civil disobedience if the state's strict new immigration law goes into effect.

Sharpton made his promise during a late Wednesday news conference attended by Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and other activists opposed to the implementation of Senate Bill 1070, approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23.


Speaking before a prayer vigil at the at Pilgrim Rest Church, 1401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, Sharpton compared the fight against the law to the civil rights struggle in the American South, arguing that there will be no way to enforce the law without having police engage in racial profiling.

As Sharpton spoke, several anti-Sharpton protesters carried signs nearby at 15th and Jefferson streets.

Arizona's new immigration law makes it a crime to be in Arizona illegally. Sharpton and other critics predict it will lead police to single out Hispanic citizens for questioning and detention if they cannot prove residency.

"You can amend it, you can bend it, you can do anything you want to it,'' Sharpton said, but he said the law will continue to promote racial profiling.

If legal challenges fail, the New York activist vowed to come back on the eve of the law's effective date and take action, including not carrying proof of citizenship and submitting nonviolently with the intent of being arrested with other protesters.

"We intend to have the right people stand up for what's right,'' he said. "If it becomes necessary, we will bring people from all over the country to be freedom walkers in Arizona.''

"The only ID we'll have in our pockets is the U.S. Constitution, which gives us the right to equal protection under the law."

Sharpton attended an hourlong prayer meeting at the church, joined by community leaders including Phoenix City Council members Michael Johnson and Michael Nowakowski, Bishop Alexis Thomas, and Eric Lee of the California chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Johnson, a former Phoenix police officer, was handcuffed in south Phoenix in March for allegedly interfering with an officer protecting a fire scene near Johnson's home. Johnson spoke about his experience and his belief that he was the victim of racial profiling.

"This is not just about immigration policy … this is about who is next," Johnson said.

After the meeting, the capacity crowd of about 2,500 began walking peacefully toward the Arizona Capitol at about 7:30 p.m., some holding lit candles and banners as other sang.



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