Thanks (or no thanks) to the SB 1070 hullabaloo, we're thinking this weekend's Phoenix Copwatch Member Training Meeting may be packed to the gunwales.
The grassroots Phoenix Copwatch, formed in 1988, exists to monitor potential police brutality doled out by local law enforcement. According to the org's website, "Copwatch members go out regularly and videotape the police as they stop people or pull over their vehicles. We do not interfere with the police, but we do record their activities with the goal of preventing police brutality and racism."
Though we couldn't get any of these folks on the horn (New Times' repeated requests for an interview went unreturned), we imagine that that last bit about racism will be a sticking point at the meeting, as many folks opposed to the bill - such as Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik - feel that SB 1070 is something akin to the Three-Fifths compromise.
No experience is needed. The only stipulations are 1) you can't have ties to law enforcement and 2) it's probably good to have a functioning pair of eyes. (No offense, Stevie Wonder. We love you, brother.) The free training and information session is scheduled to take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, at The Firehouse, 1015 North First Street. Call 602-337-7188 or e-mail [email protected].
Tonight, there's going to be a benefit show for Phoenix Food Not Bombs, Nuestros Derechos (Our Rights), and Phoenix Copwatch. That's also taking place at The Firehouse and will get started around 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
