AZ lawmaker makes hand gesture referring to cops and SB1070

Posted: May 25, 2010 5:47 PM PDT Tuesday, May 25, 2010 8:47 PM ESTUpdated: May 26, 2010 4:59 AM PDT Wednesday, May 26, 2010 7:59 AM EST

PDF of Capitol Times Story - 05/25/2010 5:30pm
Reporter: Brian Pryor

PHOENIX (KGUN9-TV) - An Arizona lawmaker is at the center of the latest controversy surrounding SB1070, after he made references to raising his middle finger to cops who ask him for identification.

The statement points to the Friday edition of the Arizona Capitol Times in which AZ senate minority leader Jorge Garcia is quoted as saying "Well, you know, at my age I can ignore the cops. I can flip them off." When the reporter asked what kinda of immigration documents he carries the Senator raised his middle finger and said, "That's what I would tell a cop."

KGUN9 News called Senator Garcia's office and spoke with the Senator regarding his comments and gestures. Garcia confirmed the statement but clarified that he had told the reporter he would only raise his middle finger in the event he presented the cop his license and the cop asked for additional identification.

Garcia added that since there were two lawsuits pending against SB1070 that there is concern among cops over the application of the law. Garcia ended the interview with "And yes, the police are great, but there are a few who know how to abuse it (the law), and they do abuse it".

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen said "In all of my years living and working in Arizona, I've heard some pretty offensive and ignorant comments made by elected officials, But Senator Garcia's complete and total disregard towards law enforcement takes the prize. " The party's press release calls on Garcia's fellow democrats to publically denounce his comments towards law enforcement.

http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?s=12542829