Thread: Arpaio book signing draws supporters, protesters

Arpaio book signing draws supporters, protesters

19 comments by Astrid Galvan - Jun. 21, 2008 05:54 PM
The Arizona Republic

A book signing by Sheriff Joe Arpaio turned rambunctious Saturday after a few protesters made their way from the 110 degree-plus outdoors into a Barnes & Noble.

About 45 people gathered outside the Scottsdale bookstore on Shea Boulevard near Loop 101 on Saturday around 1 p.m., an hour before the sheriff gave a speech about his latest book, "Joe's Law."

They held signs on sidewalks of the busy Shea and Pima intersection that read things like, "No human being is illegal" and "Arrest real criminals."

Chris Fleischman, a retired engineer from Phoenix, said he's been protesting against the sheriff since last fall.

One of the reasons he opposes Arpaio is because of the sheriff's well-publicized immigration sweeps.

Fleischman said the sweeps were racist and did not make cities any safer.

He also said the sheriff lies about his approval ratings and about the number of arrests made by his office.

"It's gonna hurt our safety and our prosperity," he said.

Jorge Gonzalez, of Phoenix, said he protests against Arpaio because he feels the Hispanic community is being persecuted.

He said the heat wont' stop him from protesting against the sheriff.

"Where ever he is, I will be," Gonzalez said.

Many of the protestors said they were not representing a particular group, but instead convened as individual citizens.

The crowd was significantly smaller then the hundreds who demonstrated at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, where the Maricopa Citizens for Safety and Accountability, a new group, rallied for better monitoring of public money spent by the sheriff's office.

Inside on Saturday, the sheriff entertained at least 100 supporters who showed up to his book signing.

He acknowledged the protestors outside, noting they follow him "everywhere" he goes.

"I hope they're gonna buy a book," he said. "Think they'll have enough money to buy it?"

Some protestors made their way into the bookstore, often interrupting Arpaio's speech.

One protester got in front of the sheriff but was escorted out shortly after. Angry supporters yelled at him to leave.

Arpaio kept his cool, reminding spectators of the protestors' freedom of speech, but his supporters were visibly irked by the interruptions.

Nancy Bechtold, of Scottsdale, has been a supporter for 10 years.

She said she thinks Arpaio is the only elected official who has a backbone in law enforcement, and she wasn't too keen on the protestors.

"They show themselves to be what they are: ignorant," she said.

Jim Bagg, a Phoenix resident and long-time Arpaio supporter, said the demonstrators "irritate" him because he thinks they should be pressing state representatives who have more power to solve immigration issues.

"Joe is only doing his job," Bagg said.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... g0622.html

I'm so glad he had more supporters inside with him.

They really can't stand him. I love him. He's America's sheriff.

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www.campaignforliberty.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjauAv6I-E8

GO SHERIFF JOE!!!

I hope he sells a million copies because he deserves it! I know I will be buying a copy!

Sheriff Joe Arpaio is a man one can truly respect.

'Respect!' A word we don't hear much anymore but I heard it plenty while I was growing up.

And to think I almost moved to Phoenix years ago. Wish I had.

You keep doing what you're doing Sheriff by following the law. Wish the federal government followed their own laws.