Arpaio's appearance at Tucson bookstore draws protesters
90 commentsby Blake Morlock - Jul. 11, 2008 12:00 AM
Tucson Citizen
About 100 protesters worked to disrupt Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's appearance Thursday at a midtown Tucson bookstore.

Arpaio co-hosted a radio show and then signed copies of his new book, Joe's Law: America's Toughest Sheriff Takes on Illegal Immigration, Drugs and Everything Else that Threatens America, at a Barnes & Noble Booksellers location.

Demonstrators outside the store challenged Arpaio because of his decision to crack down on illegal immigrants in the Phoenix area.
"He's a racist," said Carlos Parma, a 16-year-old Pueblo High School senior. "He discriminates against brown people."

The protesters marched in a circle while chanting. They also pummeled a piñata meant to resemble Arpaio.

Christina Moodie, 56, a retired Sun Tran driver, said she has long opposed Arpaio's get-tough, media-grabbing style and policies.

The Rev. John Fife, former pastor of the South Side Presbyterian Church and a longtime immigrant-rights advocate, called the demonstration a show of democracy.

"Our basic message is that our Hispanic community in Pima County is valued," Fife said.

Arpaio's crackdown on illegal immigration, typically left to federal authorities, is about enforcing the law and not racism, the sheriff said.

Conservative radio host John Justice showed up to support Arpaio.

"He's such a symbol of people in Tucson, how they wish immigration was handled here," Justice said. "He's enforcing the law."

Inside the bookstore and toward the end of the radio show, Arpaio was faced with protests and hecklers.

Fred Davis, a 65-year-old truck driver, stewed as he watched the protesters interrupt Arpaio.

"They're un-American, and they're rude," Davis said, holding a copy of Arpaio's book. "He's not racist. He's enforcing the law."

Arpaio shrugged off his critics.

"Every time they blast me, my polls go higher and higher and higher," he said.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... n0711.html