Arpaio closing jails ahead of immigration protests

Arpaio closing jails ahead of immigration protests

Posted: Jun 22, 2012 9:12 AM PDT Updated: Jun 22, 2012 9:13 AM PDT

PHOENIX (AP) - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is shutting down county jails in anticipation of protests against Arizona's immigration law.

The sheriff's office plans to close all 6 of its jails Saturday because of a large protest planned in the evening.

Officials say they expect between 1,000 and 4,000 demonstrators outside a Phoenix complex of canvas jail tents, known as "Tent City."

Family and friends will not be permitted to visit inmates during the closure.

Groups who plan to hold vigil outside Tent City include Puente Arizona and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

A spokesman for the Unitarians says the group wanted to protest before the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the controversial immigration measure.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling next week.

Arpaio closing jails ahead of immigration protests - FOX 10 News - Phoenix, AZ | KSAZ-TV

That will likely make maintaining order on the inside a real challenge. Uh-Oh, angry real American inmates get cheated out of visit, that fire will be on a short fuse all day.

Rally underway outside of the Sheriff's Tent City jail to oppose his jail policies
By KTAR Newsroom
Originally published: Jun 23, 2012 - 7:33 pm

http://media.bonnint.net/az/29/2911/...r=mynw/300wide

Critics of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio gathered Saturday for a vigil and rally to protest Tent City, the outdoor complex of canvas jail tents. Police presence outnumbers protestors 100 to 1. The Sheriff's office expected up to 4,000 protestors but the numbers are far less than that.

The activists descended on Tent City, demanding it be shut down for inhumane conditions.

Protestor Rob Mc Elwain was holding a sign reading ‘Arpaio Surrender' at the rally.

"We are here to protest the conditions at Tent City and the kinds of practices that Joe Arpaio has carried out for years here in Phoenix," Mc Elwain said.

Maricopa County prisons were in a security override status and inmates were prevented from seeing friends and family on Saturday.

The protest began at about 6:00 p.m. in front of Tent City, located at 29th Avenue and Durango. Durango is closed between 27th and 35th Avenues until the protest wraps up.

Not everyone present was an opponent of the Tent City policy. Rally attendee Kathryn Kobar came out in support of the Sheriff.

"It does get hot in the summer but if you don't want to be in Tent City, don't break the law," Kobar said.

Arpaio has come under intense scrutiny for the extreme conditions at Tent City, including blazing hot temperatures, poor quality/spoiled food and lack of medical care for inmates.

The Tent City protest was organized by Puente Arizona, the immigrant rights group, and the Unitarian Universalist Association, which is hosting its annual convention this weekend in Phoenix.

Rally underway outside of the Sheriff's Tent City jail to oppose his jail policies - Phoenix News - KTAR.com