| barriozona |
| HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE Grassroots Journalism |
| Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
From Phoenix, Arizona to the World Wide Web
Thousands of Immigrant Families March to Protest
Arpaio and Remind Obama his Promise of Reform
Arpaio and Remind Obama his Promise of Reform
The largely non-violent and festive march was clouded by an incident where a radical contingent
was pepper-sprayed by anti-riot police.
was pepper-sprayed by anti-riot police.
Multimedia by Eduardo Barraza - Photo Gallery Video of March to Jails Video of pepper-spraying aftermath
Phoenix, Arizona, January 16, 2010 - Another march aimed to condemn Maricopa sheriff’s crackdown
on immigrants without documents summoned Saturday thousands of people from Arizona and other
states in the nation.
The demonstration was also intended to pressure the Obama Administration to stop enforcement’s
policies and pass an immigration reform this year.
Thousands of immigrant workers and their families marched the three-mile route from Falcon Park
to the county jail complex. Except for a brief incident between Phoenix Police Department and a
regular group of young demonstrators with a more radical approach, the march was orderly and
festive.
The massive demonstration, planned for several months, brought to Arizona long-time Chicana
activist Dolores Huerta, legendary singers Linda Ronstadt and Little Joe, and rapper-activist Zack de
la Rocha, who led the march just behind a group of dancers from the local indigenous group
Tonatierra.
The real “celebrities” of Saturday’s demonstration, though, were the thousands and thousands of
men, women and children who walked enthusiastically and tirelessly in hopes that their
participation somehow persuades Washington to pass legislation to allow them to obtain legal
status.
“We are marching for the rights of the (immigrant) community,” said Veronica Cortés, a young
mother who was among the many marchers and was accompanied by her husband and children.
“Bringing along our children is a way of raising awareness in them about our people’s struggle;
even though they had the privilege of having been born here, they don’t know what their parents
went through to arrive to this land.”
The colorful demonstration, called Human Rights March, was the first of 2010 and the second one in
less than a year to target the jail complex in southwest Phoenix. Last year several marches and
protests took place. However, they failed to thwart the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
from continuing its roundups and arresting undocumented immigrants.
Unlike the previous demonstration, today there were no groups or individuals to counter-protest. A
few sheriff deputies were spotted observing the crowd passing by, some taking photographs from
a building’s top roof, as an MCSO helicopter flew over the complex persistently. Sheriff Arpaio was
not seen anywhere around when the demonstrators arrived but had given a press conference
earlier.
The Phoenix Police Department provided the security for the march, but also had a strong presence
of officers wearing anti-riot gear. Since the march was completely non-violent and well-behaved,
the cops limited to observe the thousands of people walking and chanting.
However, this police force entered into action when a group of young people holding black flags,
dressed also in black and with their faces semi-covered with bandanas, allegedly did something
that appeared to threaten police officers on horses. This group of men and women had attended
most of the pro-immigrant demonstrations last year, where they have been vocal against law
enforcement agencies and taunt police.
They first showed up at the marches when Zack de la Rocha was invited last year to attend a
February 28 protest. Since then, they have been a regular fixture. Barriozona identified this
tendency first in its coverage of that march, and did a short video interview with some of the
members of this group. (Video: Immigrants, Counterculture Groups Rally Against Sheriff Arpaio)
Most recently, members of this group where seen at a protest against sheriff Arpaio’s visit to
Cronkite School of Journalism on November 30 last year. The group’s approach appears to be
directed toward police abuse and authorities, which explains their participation in anti-Arpaio
protests, but they don’t seem to be in direct support or opposition of the pro-immigration agenda.
De la Rocha songs lyrics in English usually attract, not immigrants or Spanish-speaking families, but
counterculture and radical groups. Since he has been invited as a speaker by the organizers, the
group’s participation cannot be detached from the march or dismissed as not being part of the
demonstration, as they are likely attracted by De la Rocha, who’s also becoming a regular fixture in
protests in Maricopa County.
In September 2008, De la Rocha led a protest in Minnesota where police dispersed demonstrators
with tear gas. According to reports, Police prevented the musician from performing, thus making his
fans angry.
In regards of what happened, different versions contradict police accounts, one indicating that
officers pepper-sprayed in overreaction of what they perceived as an attack, real or not. Afterward,
several young men lay on the sidewalk as they were experiencing the effects of the spray in their
faces. Five were reported arrested. (Video of the aftermath.)
Except from verbal confrontations from this group to the anti-riot squad, the aftermath went with
no other altercations. The incident diverted much of the attention of the march for a while, and
created an unwanted scene in an event where the majority of participants attended to protest
Arpaio’s enforcement of immigration laws and to send a message to the White House in regards to
a reform.
In spite of this incident, the immigrant families who showed up in great numbers were absolutely
peaceful. Other than sporadic verbal and written profanities against the sheriff, the march was
nonviolent and looked more like a parade or festival. (Video of the march.)
The characteristic anti-sheriff paraphernalia that has created a culture of protest against Arpaio
with signs, t-shirts, artwork, masks resembling his likeness and other stuff was seen everywhere.
At the end of the march, many of the participants returned to the departing point walking the three-
mile route. Others were able to hop in the back of pick-up trucks and some had still the energy to
be chanting and yelling as the drivers who were giving them a ride were honking loudly.
Undocumented immigrant advocates in Arizona and the nation are faced with another year of
struggle to continue pressing Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of signing legislation that would
give legal residency to the estimated 12 million people who live, work and consume in the United
States.
Accordingly, a great number of protestors were holding signs in Spanish asking: “Obama: Where is
the Reform.”
on immigrants without documents summoned Saturday thousands of people from Arizona and other
states in the nation.
The demonstration was also intended to pressure the Obama Administration to stop enforcement’s
policies and pass an immigration reform this year.
Thousands of immigrant workers and their families marched the three-mile route from Falcon Park
to the county jail complex. Except for a brief incident between Phoenix Police Department and a
regular group of young demonstrators with a more radical approach, the march was orderly and
festive.
The massive demonstration, planned for several months, brought to Arizona long-time Chicana
activist Dolores Huerta, legendary singers Linda Ronstadt and Little Joe, and rapper-activist Zack de
la Rocha, who led the march just behind a group of dancers from the local indigenous group
Tonatierra.
The real “celebrities” of Saturday’s demonstration, though, were the thousands and thousands of
men, women and children who walked enthusiastically and tirelessly in hopes that their
participation somehow persuades Washington to pass legislation to allow them to obtain legal
status.
“We are marching for the rights of the (immigrant) community,” said Veronica Cortés, a young
mother who was among the many marchers and was accompanied by her husband and children.
“Bringing along our children is a way of raising awareness in them about our people’s struggle;
even though they had the privilege of having been born here, they don’t know what their parents
went through to arrive to this land.”
The colorful demonstration, called Human Rights March, was the first of 2010 and the second one in
less than a year to target the jail complex in southwest Phoenix. Last year several marches and
protests took place. However, they failed to thwart the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
from continuing its roundups and arresting undocumented immigrants.
Unlike the previous demonstration, today there were no groups or individuals to counter-protest. A
few sheriff deputies were spotted observing the crowd passing by, some taking photographs from
a building’s top roof, as an MCSO helicopter flew over the complex persistently. Sheriff Arpaio was
not seen anywhere around when the demonstrators arrived but had given a press conference
earlier.
The Phoenix Police Department provided the security for the march, but also had a strong presence
of officers wearing anti-riot gear. Since the march was completely non-violent and well-behaved,
the cops limited to observe the thousands of people walking and chanting.
However, this police force entered into action when a group of young people holding black flags,
dressed also in black and with their faces semi-covered with bandanas, allegedly did something
that appeared to threaten police officers on horses. This group of men and women had attended
most of the pro-immigrant demonstrations last year, where they have been vocal against law
enforcement agencies and taunt police.
They first showed up at the marches when Zack de la Rocha was invited last year to attend a
February 28 protest. Since then, they have been a regular fixture. Barriozona identified this
tendency first in its coverage of that march, and did a short video interview with some of the
members of this group. (Video: Immigrants, Counterculture Groups Rally Against Sheriff Arpaio)
Most recently, members of this group where seen at a protest against sheriff Arpaio’s visit to
Cronkite School of Journalism on November 30 last year. The group’s approach appears to be
directed toward police abuse and authorities, which explains their participation in anti-Arpaio
protests, but they don’t seem to be in direct support or opposition of the pro-immigration agenda.
De la Rocha songs lyrics in English usually attract, not immigrants or Spanish-speaking families, but
counterculture and radical groups. Since he has been invited as a speaker by the organizers, the
group’s participation cannot be detached from the march or dismissed as not being part of the
demonstration, as they are likely attracted by De la Rocha, who’s also becoming a regular fixture in
protests in Maricopa County.
In September 2008, De la Rocha led a protest in Minnesota where police dispersed demonstrators
with tear gas. According to reports, Police prevented the musician from performing, thus making his
fans angry.
In regards of what happened, different versions contradict police accounts, one indicating that
officers pepper-sprayed in overreaction of what they perceived as an attack, real or not. Afterward,
several young men lay on the sidewalk as they were experiencing the effects of the spray in their
faces. Five were reported arrested. (Video of the aftermath.)
Except from verbal confrontations from this group to the anti-riot squad, the aftermath went with
no other altercations. The incident diverted much of the attention of the march for a while, and
created an unwanted scene in an event where the majority of participants attended to protest
Arpaio’s enforcement of immigration laws and to send a message to the White House in regards to
a reform.
In spite of this incident, the immigrant families who showed up in great numbers were absolutely
peaceful. Other than sporadic verbal and written profanities against the sheriff, the march was
nonviolent and looked more like a parade or festival. (Video of the march.)
The characteristic anti-sheriff paraphernalia that has created a culture of protest against Arpaio
with signs, t-shirts, artwork, masks resembling his likeness and other stuff was seen everywhere.
At the end of the march, many of the participants returned to the departing point walking the three-
mile route. Others were able to hop in the back of pick-up trucks and some had still the energy to
be chanting and yelling as the drivers who were giving them a ride were honking loudly.
Undocumented immigrant advocates in Arizona and the nation are faced with another year of
struggle to continue pressing Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of signing legislation that would
give legal residency to the estimated 12 million people who live, work and consume in the United
States.
Accordingly, a great number of protestors were holding signs in Spanish asking: “Obama: Where is
the Reform.”
"NO MORE ARPAIO" Demonstrators
vented their anger against Arpaio with
some MCSO deputies who were looking
from the jail complex.
vented their anger against Arpaio with
some MCSO deputies who were looking
from the jail complex.
TWO SIDES After the incident where
riot-police pepper sprayed a group of
young people dressing in black, the
until then peaceful march turned into a
stand-off like scenario.
riot-police pepper sprayed a group of
young people dressing in black, the
until then peaceful march turned into a
stand-off like scenario.
ZACK DE LA ROCHA The singer and his
songs are extremely popular with
young people dissatisfied with the
system. Radical groups in Maricopa
County have been attracted to protests
by him. He lacks the same popularity
among immigrants, Spanish-speaking
families.
songs are extremely popular with
young people dissatisfied with the
system. Radical groups in Maricopa
County have been attracted to protests
by him. He lacks the same popularity
among immigrants, Spanish-speaking
families.
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2006-2010 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
| Operation Immigration Arrests, Protests, and Turmoil in Maricopa County |
| Price: $19.95 + s/h $3.80 Total $23.75 Length: 47 minutes EAN: 978-0-9797814-6-9 |
LEADING THE WAY Legendary
singers, politicians and activists walked
in front of the crowd. Scores of
immigrant families followed in a large
procession.
singers, politicians and activists walked
in front of the crowd. Scores of
immigrant families followed in a large
procession.
| RELATED ARTICLES: Marches and Demonstrations Do Work, For A Variety of (Good and Bad) Reasons En Español: Marchan Inmigrantes por Reforma Migratoria Por Eduardo Barraza (Publicado en La Crónica de Mexicali, Baja California) |
| M U L T I M E D I A |
| V I D E O |