Cinco de Mayo celebration includes breaking Arpaio pinata
May 5, 2008


A new human rights organization is using Cinco de Mayo to kick off a campaign to help end what it calls hateful attacks against immigrants.

The group is called the Pueblo Center for Legal and Human rights.

As a symbolic message, members plan to break a Sheriff Joe Arpaio pinata during their celebration.

Arpaio says it's a sad idea.

``This is freedom of speech, they want to do that. I just don't like it because of the young people. It sends a bad message to young people that they're trying to beat up the chief law enforcement officer," says the sheriff, who has made cracking down on illegal immigrants one of his priorities.

Pueblo says it's goal is to raise youth consciousness of human rights while fending off attacks against immigrants by the sheriff, state Legislature and local groups.

Lots of people, of Hispanic and other cultures, will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo -- the Fifth of May. It celebrates the day back in 1810 when a small Mexican militia defeated the mighty French Army near the City of Pueblo. The day is not really a big holiday in Mexico, except in Puebla. But, here in the United States, it's a tribute to Mexican heritage and pride.

If you plan to celebrate tonight, celebrate smart. Police will have extra patrols out looking for suspected drunken drivers.

In Tempe, police will be out until 3 a.m. Tuesday patrolling near bars and nightclub along Mill Avenue.

``We don't want people out there drinking and driving," says Cindy Davies with Tempe Police. ``Call a cab, call one of those services that they have, designate a driver, there are so many better options out there today."

Some Cinco de Mayo celebrations began over the weekend. Police said they made more than 100 DUI arrests statewide during the weekend.


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