Sharpton blasts immigration policy in Danbury speech
May 5, 2008

DANBURY, Conn. - The Rev. Al Sharpton criticized Danbury officials for using undercover police officers to promise jobs to day laborers in 2006, only to turn them over to federal agents for deportation.

The arrests were unfair, Sharpton told a Danbury church congregation Sunday.

"I don't lie to folks and then deport them," Sharpton told about 350 people at New Hope Baptist Church on Sunday. "I'm coming to a town that switches bait."

A federal judge earlier this year refused to block the deportations of nine men who were picked up at a local park by undercover city officers and turned over to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The judge ruled that Danbury police did not exceed their authority. Supporters of the laborers are appealing the ruling.

Mayor Mark Boughton has said waves of immigrants are straining schools and leading to other problems such as crowded housing and unlicensed drivers. A message was left with Boughton on Monday.

Sharpton also told the congregation that he plans to get arrested on Wednesday during civil disobedience to protest the Sean Bell verdict in New York. Three New York City police officers were recently acquitted of criminal charges in the 50-shot barrage of the unarmed Bell on his wedding day in 2006.

Sharpton further criticized the Bush administration for its immigration policies and the war in Iraq.

"God used David to challenge Goliath," Sharpton said. "So what makes you think God can't use Al Sharpton to challenge George Bush?"

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