Thread: Thousands in Phoenix ready for immigration law protest

Thousands in Phoenix ready for immigration law protest

May. 29, 2010 09:35 AM
The Arizona Republic

Thousands of people were gathering in Steele Indian School Park Saturday morning to participate in a march protesting Arizona's new immigration-enforcement legislation.

Another rally - this one in support of the law - is scheduled in the evening in Tempe.

But it was opponents of the measure who dominated Phoenix Saturday morning in anticipation of the 10 a.m. march through downtown and ending with a rally at the State Capitol.

The event was expected to draw a large crowd from throughout the Valley and out of state.

Justin Akers Chacon, 38, a college professor from San Diego, said he came to Phoenix Friday night with more than 100 people who slept on sleeping bags in a downtown warehouse provided by organizers.

"There was a seriousness and confidence that we're all here for the right reasons," he said.

Arizona's immigration law makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. It states that an officer engaged in a lawful stop, detention or arrest shall, when practicable, ask about a person's legal status when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is in the U.S. illegally.

Sandra Castro, an organizer with Puente and senior at ASU, said the crowds so far were larger than expected and protesters were being bused in from Texas, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Eric Ruder, 40, flew in to Tucson from Chicago after learning of the protest online last week and said the influx of protesters from around the country shows the nation's interest in Arizona's legislation.

"The criminalization of immigrants is a scary direction that this country is heading in," Ruder said.

But for some protesters, the Arizona legislation hits particularly close to home.

Marlene Vazquez, 18, said she came to the country illegally 16 years ago with her family. They stood together at the park Saturday morning concerned about the impact the legislation could have on their lives.

Like many opponents of the bill, Vazquez is concerned that it will lead to police targeting Hispanic-looking residents in an effort to root out illegal immigrants.

"There's no way that they're not going to racial profile," she said. "How does someone look illegal?"

As Vazquez spoke, crowds were forming in corners of the large park, listening to mariachi bands and organizers calling out instructions on bullhorns.

Sarahi Uribe, a member of the National Day Labor Organizing Network, said the group is participating in the Phoenix march to send a message to Washington, D.C.

"We have a very clear demand that President Obama stop senate bill 1070," she said.

Residents in the area were warned to expect traffic and transit delays in connection with the protests.

Metro light rail is warning passengers to expect unknown delays. Metro will be running three-car trains every 15 minutes and will position supervisors and maintenance crews along the 20-mile track to help people work the ticket machines and to fix any potential mechanical glitches.

The Phoenix Public Transit Department will detour several bus routes starting at 10 a.m. because of the protests of SB 1070.

Buses affected are Route 0, Route 1, Route 3, Route 7, Route 8, Route 10, Route 12, Route 15 and Route 17.

Some bus-stop locations around Central Station will be moved during the event. Service may be delayed until the march ends.

There are no traffic restrictions in Tempe where supporters of the law are scheduled to gather at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe at 6 p.m. About 10,000 people are expected to attend the "Stand with Arizona" rally. The group is promoting a "buycott" of Arizona to counter boycotts prompted by the new law.

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