Phoenix 100 Against SB 1070 Go To Trial
On July 29th, Arizona SB 1070, the toughest anti-immigrant law in the history of the US, went into effect after being signed into law by Republican Governor Jan Brewer. In response, a massive demonstration formed in the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. Approximately 84 protesters were arrested and spent a long night in Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s 4th Street jail. The next day, more people were arrested in front of the Sheriff’s office when they blocked an Arpaio squad ready to leave on barrio raids. The protesters, known as the Phoenix 100, are heading to trial.
Immigrants' rights activists oppose SB 1070 because the law encourages racial profiling. As written, it requires police to detain all persons who they suspect lack documentation to be in the country. Since the Southern border of Arizona is Mexico, the people who bear the burden under the law are those of Hispanic descent.
Activists also oppose the law because it is a step back in the fight for basic human and civil rights for undocumented workers in the U.S.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform resolves concerns of conservatives about border security, provides a program to bring labor to the U.S. as needed, and resolves the plight of 13,000,000 undocumented workers and their children who are present in the U.S. Laws like SB 1070 do nothing more than prey upon the immigrant community without providing solutions to those who are here, or a means to bring needed migrant and day labor to the U.S.
Portions of the SB 1070 law were struck down as unconstitutional. The state of Arizona is spending millions of dollars defending the law and attacking the judge’s decision. Meanwhile, those who took a stand against the law are nearing trial. Currently, the city of Phoenix has been unwilling to offer plea deals more than to say, “Well, you can plead guilty.” That is no plea deal.
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