Mesa braces for unrest after pro-Arpaio demonstration
by Senta Scarborough - Apr. 10, 2008 07:25 PM
The Arizona Republic

Mesa Police Chief George Gascón, citing growing concerns over possible civil unrest tied to anti-illegal immigration sweeps by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, is stepping up efforts to ensure public safety, including reaching out to clergy and the legal community for help.

Gascón told his staff in a memo Thursday that the department is developing a plan to handle potential civil unrest or demonstrations tied to sweeps by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

The memo came after a Thursday morning demonstration by 15 pro-Arpaio demonstrators at Gilbert and Broadway roads in a heavily immigrant part of Mesa. During what Gascón called a “mostly lawful demonstration,â€