Furniture store becomes center of immigration debate in Phoenix
CHRIS KAHN - Associated Press

PHOENIX — Every weekend, the battle lines are redrawn outside an old furniture store in east Phoenix as the city confronts a generations-old problem with illegal immigration.

On one side of the street, Hispanics and civil rights activists come with hand-drawn banners and megaphones. Together, they announce their right to gather along the narrow sidewalk, and, if they want, to ask for work without someone challenging their immigration status.

On the other side, businessmen, bikers in leather vests and others fed up with illegal immigrants spread out holding American flags the size of bed sheets.

“We are not criminals!â€