Anti-Arpaio March Seeks Endorsers

Arizona activists are seeking organizational endorsers from across the United States for a march in Phoenix on January 16 against Sherriff Joe Arpaio.

“The nation has watched with disbelief as Sheriff Joe Arpaio has carried out a systematic reign of terror disguised in the name of immigration enforcement, but directed against all communities of color in his jurisdiction,” the march’s declaration reads. “In the process, he has become a symbol of abuse, bigotry, and intolerance. The Obama Administration’s recent endorsement of Sheriff Arpaio – through the renewal of his 287(g) authority and its expansion of local immigration enforcement initiatives proven to cause racial profiling – is an affront to this nation’s struggles for equality and justice.”

Marchers are demanding:

• A termination of Sheriff Arpaio’s 287(g) contract, which grants him federal immigration law enforcement authority.
• An end to the controversial 287(g) program, the so called ” Secure Communities” initiative, and others like them that spread racial profiling and civil rights abuses across the nation.
• An end to criminalization of migrants and communities of color in the name of immigration enforcement.
• An end to family separation.
• The passage of comprehensive immigration reform legislation that provides legal status and political equality to undocumented immigrants.
• A restoration of constitutional rights to all people.

Expected to march this week are civil rights and labor leaders such as Dolores Huerta and artists like Zack de La Rocha and Linda Ronstadt.

To endorse the march, visit the organizing website of the group Puente, which is mobilizing support.

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