Anti-Arpaio march underway with about 1,000 marchers

by Heather Hoch - May. 2, 2009 10:20 AM
The Arizona Republic .

About a thousand protesters are marching Saturday against the illegal-immigration policies of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The march began at about about 10 a.m. at Wells Fargo Plaza in Phoenix and was to go near the Tent City jail. The Sheriff's Office was taking security measures at Tent City and Durango jails Maricopa County sheriff's deputies, officers, and posse volunteers will be searching for contraband related to the protest. Inmates will also be confined to their cells or tents all day Saturday, as protesters are anticipated around Tent City during the day.

The protest has been publicized by anti-Arpaio activists on Spanish media for the past few weeks and was expected to draw 2,000 to 3,000 people.

However, attendance at immigration reform rallies across the country on Friday drew fewer protesters than organizers had hoped for, possibly due to the swine flu outbreak. According to a document from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the added security measures are being set in place in attempt to suppress any violence that the protest may incite.

Any violation found in a search of a visitor to tent city could result in arrest, the document said. The cells of approximately 2,000 inmates will also be searched for weapons and contraband.

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