It's like 2010 all over again, with the Phoenix-based civil rights group Puente leading an anti-SB 1070 protest with a "march route [that] exposes collaborators in Arpaio's human rights crisis."
As you can see on the map, the demonstration begins at 3 p.m. at Phoenix's Civic Space Park, 424 North Central Avenue, and will make stops at Phoenix Police Department Headquarters, the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse, the Fourth Avenue Jail, Sheriff Joe Arpaio's offices at the Wells Fargo Building, and the offices of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Puente, which was responsible for massive demonstrations in 2010 against 1070, is now helmed by veteran organizer Carlos Garcia, who had this to say in Puente's press release:
"With SB1070, Arizona declared a war of attrition on immigrants. What was started in Arizona quickly led to the Arizon-ification of this country, one that treats undocumented immigrants as criminals and treats all Latinos as undocumented. Instead of investigating and suing in Arizona, the Administration should stop collaborating in deporting Arpaio's victims."
Said fellow organizer Diane Perez:
"Maricopa County has been in a human rights crisis created by both state and federal policies that we've only seen spread in the past two years. We're marching because we will not comply with the hate contained in SB1070. The Supreme Court should strike down 1070 and the federal government should end its embrace of Arizona-style policies."
I agree with Perez's statement about the Supreme Court. That would be nice. However, based on initial reports of today's 1070 hearing, I fear the worst. It may be that the best we can hope for is a mixed bag when the court rules in the next couple of months.That means that the stain of 1070 will continue to mark this state until we change the political balance of power, and hopefully repeal the law, wiping it from the books, if not from memory.
