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The partial implementation of the Arizona immigration law, SB1070, began today in earnest, and already we’re seeing the friction between supporters and immigration rights advocates play out. Adam Sarvana, a spokesman for Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), an outspoken critic of the law, just sent out this release:
The Yuma district office of Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva has been closed for the day because of recent vandalism. A shattered window and bullet inside the office were found earlier today. Police are investigating the incident and have not released details about a potential motive. Rep. Grijalva intends to open the office again as soon as possible.
On the day that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the legislation, Grijalva closed his district offices because of threats. So this is nothing new.
In Phoenix, hundreds of protesters blocked one of Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s makeshift jails:
Several hundred protesters blockaded a Phoenix jail Thursday and swarmed the downtown headquarters of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who pledged to launch another “crime sweep” targeting illegal immigrants across the city Thursday afternoon.
About 100 police officers in riot gear met the protesters and several were arrested.
The demonstrations continued despite action by a federal judge Wednesday that blocked the most contested provisions of Arizona’s new immigration law one day before they were to take effect. Arpaio had said he would continue the sweeps regardless of the ruling.
This photo shows some of the blockade.
This is a fast-moving development, so stay tuned.
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I do hope they find who is threatening and shooting at Grijalva’s office.
Though I won’t hold my breath
This is truly an outrage. What do you do with people who hate randomly? Sheriff Joe must be really enjoying all this.
Good job, David. Stay on it.
Small nitpick DDay:
The “makeshift” jails are way out on the West side of Phoenix – here
The photo in the post is the 11th Ave jail.
Arpaio’s office is at 100 West Washington in downtown Phoenix in the Wells Fargo building. I had to ride the elevator with that goon from time to time when I worked at Wells.
I think there were protests at both locations.
The Beck-ites have swung into action. Sad.
Very glad to hear about the protests against horrid Sheriff Joe. Sorry to hear about Grijava’s office in Yuma and hope they catch that person.
Thanks for the posts and the update. Good to keep informed.
Om shanti om
I just talked to a friend in Phoenix, supposedly 3 cops got shot, 1 killed in a drug related incident. No mention anywhere.
chili,
Three cops were shot, one killed, one now in critical condition, and the third is in stable condition.
This all occurred in Chandler during a marijuana drug bust gone bad. Not only dumb but totally dumb.
And what made this even worse, is that the leader of PLEA, and which is the police union stated publicly that the immigration protesters should have put their protest in abeyance until the polilce officers had recovered medically.
Now, to adequately understand the statement by PLEA, is to understand that the PLEA has been the organizing force behind ARizona’s SB 1070, and are highly supporive of Pearce, Huppenthal and Brewer.
And I am of the opinion that the John Birchers now control all the levers of political power in Arizona.
And “context” matters.
Jaango