Thread: AZ immigration bill prompts protests in Tucson, Phoenix

AZ immigration bill prompts protests in Tucson, Phoenix
Story( CommentsBy Brady McCombs Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 12:16 pm | Comments

Outrage about a state immigration bill that is Gov. Jan Brewer's signature away from becoming law has spurred protests throughout the state Tuesday.

A major protest led by leaders from immigrants advocacy, religious and labor groups is going on at the state capitol in Phoenix. A vigil will be held in Tucson this evening.

About 40 Tucson High students walked off of campus this morning to protest the immigration bill, said Principal Abel Morado.

While the Tucson High campus is normally closed, the students left as gates were opened for classmates who do not have full schedules and have permission to leave campus at the lunch hour.

Morado attempted to keep the students on campus by verbally directing them to go to lunch or class but was unsuccessful.

"We invited students to stay and air their grievances, but they were really upset about this immigration issue and felt they needed to get to Armory Park," he said.

No school escorts were provided to the students. They will receive an unexcused absence as a result.

Tucson High students walked out about 11 a.m. today and gathered briefly at Armory Park, then headed to the state building downtown. Some 100 teens were gathered there by 12:30 p.m. Students tried to get into the building, but the doors were locked. They were chanting, but no damage was being reported and a handful of police officers were monitoring the students.

The state Senate gave final approval Monday to a package of changes in state law that proponents say will help crack down on illegal immigration.

SB 1070 would overrule any policy or procedure of a city council or police department that keeps officers from enforcing federal immigration laws. It also says, when practicable, police must inquire about the immigration status of those they encounter as part of their regular activities.

A vigil and protest of the bill by border activists is planned from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today in front of the state building downtown, at the corner of West Congress Street and South Granada Avenue.

The Coalición de Derechos Humanos has planned a protest and candlelight vigil for later today from 4-6 p.m. at the state building at the intersection of W. Congress St. and S. Granada Ave. in Tucson.

The bill's architect, Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said SB 1070 is necessary because of the political failure in Washington to secure the border. The bill is aimed at what Pearce said is "removing the handcuffs" from local police. But critics say the result will be racial profiling.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., urged Brewer to veto the "unconstitutional anti-immigrant bill" saying that not doing that would result in severe economic penalties for the state.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada called the bill unreasonable and said his office can't afford to take on the job of federal immigration agents. It's also misguided, he said.

"I'm disappointed because they are painting all illegal immigrants with a broad brush," Estrada said. "Everybody is bad, everybody is harmful, everybody is hurting the economy. That is not necessarily true."

Tucson police chief Roberto Villaseñor is withholding comment, electing to wait to see the final version of the bill and what the governor decides to do, said Sgt. Diana Lopez, a Tucson Police Department spokeswoman.

The outcry came from across the country as well among religious, law enforcement and immigrants' rights groups.

George Gascón, the former Mesa police chief who is now San Francisco police chief, joined police chiefs from Raleigh, N.C.; and Colorado Springs, Colo., to denounce the bill in a conference call.

In Phoenix, nine young people were arrested this morning after then chained themselves to the doors of the state capitol building.

Reporter Alexis Huicochea and Howard Fischer, of Capitol Media Services, contributed to this story.

Posted in Border on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 12:16 pm Updated: 12:39 pm. | Tags
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/ ... 002e0.html

the students who walked out should be charged

A whole 40 of them. Wow. Someone needs to put these kids in detention and lecture them about American civics. There are millions of voters that support enforcement of our laws and, in fact, have been waiting for enforcement longer than these students have been alive. They can save their indignation for LaRaza and others that actually care.

Tan Klan haters on the march again.