Activists block buses, court to try to stop Ariz. deportations
By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
Updated: 1:12 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013
http://media.washtimes.com/media/ima...a2f56152ba438e
Photo by: Perla Trevizo
Tucson Police Department officers use pepper spray to force protesters back onto the sidewalk Tuedsday, Oct. 8, 2013, in Tucson, Ariz. Tucson police used pepper spray to help disperse some of the more than 100 people protesting the detention of two immigrants who had been detained after a traffic stop. (AP Photo/Arizona Daily Star, Perla Trevizo) ALL LOCAL TV OUT; PAC-12 OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
Immigrant-rights activists said Friday morning they are blocking buses in Tucson, Ariz., filled with illegal immigrants who are on their way to be being sentenced to jail and then processed for deportation.
The activists said those on the buses are part of Operation Streamline, which is designed to give illegal immigrants jail sentences before they are deported, as a deterrent to keep them from trying to reenter the country in the future. The activists, though, say the program circumvents due process rights.
“Anyone who witnesses Operation Streamline will come away convinced that it is both unconstitutional and immoral,” said activist Roberto Cintli Rodriguez. “There is no justice in that courtroom. It violates every principle the U.S. claims to ascribe to. When humanity is confronted with unjust laws, it is our responsibility to challenge them.”
Friday’s move was a precursor to more demonstrations next week, when the activists plan to try to shut down the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Phoenix.
The activists posted live video of their protest online, showing some marching with signs in the middle of the road that read “End Streamline.”
Others were lying down next to the bus tires to try to make sure the vehicles couldn’t move.
In another video stream activists had blockaded the entrance to the court where the illegal immigrants were supposed to be processed. The activists had linked arms inside of tubes, which makes it more difficult for authorities to separate them and remove them.
One of those shooting the video said there were 70 people on the buses, and they were showing their shackles through the windows.
“Today for the first time in six years, we’ve seen streamline be stopped,” said one man on the video feed.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...al-immigrants/
Pro-immigrant protesters arrested in Tucson after blocking buses
Pro-immigrant protesters arrested in Tucson after blocking buses
http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editor...b5cec5193.jpeg
By Brad Poole 2 hours ago
TUCSON, Arizona (Reuters) - Some 15 people were arrested in Arizona on Friday after immigration rights activists blocked two buses bringing suspected illegal immigrants to a federal courthouse in Tucson for deportation hearings, forcing a judge to cancel the proceedings.
The demonstration marked the second time this week that Tucson has been the scene of clashes between immigration rights activists and police. On Tuesday officers pepper-sprayed members of a crowd trying to prevent U.S. Border Patrol agents from detaining two people.
Arizona in recent years has been at the center of the debate over illegal immigration in the United States as its Republican leadership has taken a tough stance on illegal immigration.
In 2010, Governor Jan Brewer signed a state law requiring police to question people they stop who they suspect of being in the country illegally about their immigration status.
Friday's action began when some 50 protesters blocked a Tucson street, preventing the two buses carrying suspected illegal immigrants from reaching the downtown federal courthouse.
About a dozen of the activists then laid down in front of the buses and linked arms inside PVC tubes, blocking the front wheels and remaining there for about five hours before Tucson police moved in to arrest them.
"We're just trying to make sure Operation Streamline doesn't happen today," said Jaye Hardin, a 20-year-old college student from Indiana who is studying in Arizona for three months.
She was referring to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program that requires the federal criminal prosecution of all unlawful border crossers.
Tucson Police Department spokesman Sergeant Chris Widmer said the protests forced a judge to halt the hearings. He could not immediately confirm the number of arrests at the scene.
Widmer said that Tuesday night's incident began when Tucson police officers making a traffic stop suspected that the driver and passenger were illegal immigrants and contacted the Border Patrol.
When Border Patrol officers detained the two people and tried to drive away with them in custody, a crowd blocked their vehicle. Four people were arrested in that incident, including the two suspected illegal immigrants.
http://news.yahoo.com/pro-immigrant-protesters-arrested-tucson-blocking-buses-221558217.html
All 18 protesters released after blocking deportation effort
Posted: Oct 11, 2013 10:50 PM by Sam Salzwedel
Updated: Oct 11, 2013 10:51 PM
kvoa.com
TUCSON - All 18 people arrested after an immigration protest are getting out of jail. They all faced felony charges for Hindering Prosecution.
Protesters blocked a bus from deporting immigrants, and they also chained themselves to a gate at the federal courthouse.
The State recommended almost all of them held on a $1,700 bond, pointing out it was a large, well-organized and successful effort to obstruct the deportation process.
The judge released them without having to pay anything. He made them promise to appear on their next court date, and they are not allowed to return to the locations of their arrests.
Their next court appearance is October 31 at 1:30 p.m.
http://www.kvoa.com/news/all-18-prot...tation-effort/
