Vol. 73/No. 19      May 18, 2009

The march, called by PUENTE Arizona and the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, went from downtown Phoenix to the Tent City, a jail on the outskirts of town where immigrants and other prisoners are held in tents under desert conditions.

The main slogans of the “Walk for Respect” were: “Stop Arpaio” and “Stop 287(g)’s,” referring to the federal law that allows the sheriff here and other local police agencies to enforce immigration laws. The other most popular signs read: “We are human,” “Immigration reform now,” and “Stop the raids.”

Several marchers carried signs highlighting particular cases in which sheriff’s deputies had broken into homes and assaulted and arrested workers without cause, in many cases deporting them. Adela Guerra told the Militant, “My friend’s husband and coworkers were going to work at a construction site in the back of a truck when they were pulled over by cops who said the taillight was out. The cops found out they were from Mexico and deported them.”

Dozens of students from Arizona State University took part in the march. Gustavo Chaydez said he came because “I’m seeing what the sheriff is doing, and that abuse of power makes me want to change it… . My grandparents were brought here from Mexico to work in the fields in the early 1900s. Do they want us or not?”

One homemade sign read, “No virus is as harmful as the 287(g).” On April 28 Arpaio had issued a fear-mongering statement accusing “illegal aliens” of bringing swine flu from Mexico to Arizona. The march grew as it moved through town. Five workers from a beauty salon joined in for a couple of miles, without their boss’s permission.

About 30 rightist counterprotesters rallied outside the jail carrying signs that read, “We support Joe.” One waved a large Confederate flag.
 
 
Related articles:
Chicago May 1 rally demands legalization
‘Immigrant rights central issue for labor’
Socialist Workers candidates speak at U.S. May Day rallies
Many students join California May 1 marches
Los Angeles: ‘We need legalization, employment’
Caribbean workers march May 1 for jobs, pay raise
Immigrant workers put stamp on actions  
 
 
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