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Phoenix, Arizona (June 19, 2009) - First it was a rapper; this time it was a preacher. Maricopa County –boiling over the
immigration debate– borrowing out-of-state, prominent talent to gang up on a relentless sheriff who seems to grow
stronger and more defiant with each of his opponent’s attempts to bring him down.
Reverend Alfred Sharpton, one of the African-American community’s top guns, landed in Phoenix to take on a long awaited
showdown between him and the man who has placed Maricopa County in both the hall of fame and shame of the United
States –depending on what side of the polarizing issue you choose to be on. But Al Sharpton, in a perfectly delivered
speech at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, near downtown Phoenix, said his visit was not about him and Joe throwing
blows at each other, but about Jóse –meaning to advocate for the average undocumented immigrant worker.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was called upon many times to come to aid African-American communities in several states.
This is not to say that Sharpton carries the same weight and respect that King did, but rather to acknowledge that the
concept of bringing in outside help is valid and important. Protests and marches organized at the local level, as well as
visits from prominent personalities have successfully created awareness in other states about what’s going on in
Maricopa County. This has definitely spread the word about Sheriff Arpaio’s enforcement of immigration laws, alleged
racial profiling practices, and volatile verbal arguments at the street level between foes and supporters of the sheriff.
Prior to November of 2008, no amount of protests prevented, however, Arpaio from being elected for the fifth time as the
sheriff of Maricopa. That was the main setback for the attempts to stop Arpaio from continuing with the same line of
enforcement of immigration laws. And instead of backing off after his reelection, Arpaio has continued to aggressively
enforce his delegated authority to combat illegal immigration. Protest after protest he has made it very clear that he is not
stopping or changing his tactics, and rather has told those who oppose him that they need to change the law.
The snowballing effect that protesting against Sheriff Arpaio has had in many states of the nation, in terms of exposing his
enforcement practices, has created a bigger awareness against him, but at the same time has generated more support
for him in places where he was either unknown or relatively known. After this June 19 meeting with Reverend Sharpton, he
said to local television that “the bottom line, and he (Sharpton) understands, is that I’m not going to change anything…”
On the other hand, during his speech at Pilgrim Rest, Sharpton presented an idea nothing new to local organizers and
activists, by saying “what we need to do is start some freedom rides through this county, where we all start coming here
riding in these cars and filming to turn over to the federal government...” Perhaps Sharpton is not aware that federal
government agencies are already investigating Sheriff Arpaio, and that videos of alleged violations have already been
turned over to authorities in Washington.
But even when the Maricopa County Sheriff Department (MCSO) is being investigated, Arpaio has more chances of
walking away unpunished than the opposite, as in the Department of Justice’s letter to the sheriff nothing indicates that he
will be prosecuted for racial profiling and discrimination, but rather reward his department with assistance. “If, on the other
hand, we conclude there are such violations, -states that letter- we will inform you of the findings and attempt to work with
the MCSO to remedy any such violations. In addition, we will identify any financial, technical, or other assistance the United
States may be able to provide to assist the MCSO in correcting the identified deficiencies.”
Sharpton’s visit to the Valley, as the visits of singer Zack de la Rocha to support immigration reform marches a few
months ago, continues to prove that, locally, Arpaio is a very hard nut to crack. And whether a popular singer-activist of
Mexican descent marching on the streets of Phoenix or a preacher-activist giving an inspiring speech behind an
improvised pulpit in a church’s gym, Arpaio still has Arizona laws and immigration laws -like the contentious 287 (g)- to
back him up. Sadly, when dude de la Rocha and brother Sharpton leave, the Josés of Maricopa County will continue to be
handcuffed and put in the county jails to face bad food and a sure deportation.
Copyright © 2009 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
immigration debate– borrowing out-of-state, prominent talent to gang up on a relentless sheriff who seems to grow
stronger and more defiant with each of his opponent’s attempts to bring him down.
Reverend Alfred Sharpton, one of the African-American community’s top guns, landed in Phoenix to take on a long awaited
showdown between him and the man who has placed Maricopa County in both the hall of fame and shame of the United
States –depending on what side of the polarizing issue you choose to be on. But Al Sharpton, in a perfectly delivered
speech at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, near downtown Phoenix, said his visit was not about him and Joe throwing
blows at each other, but about Jóse –meaning to advocate for the average undocumented immigrant worker.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was called upon many times to come to aid African-American communities in several states.
This is not to say that Sharpton carries the same weight and respect that King did, but rather to acknowledge that the
concept of bringing in outside help is valid and important. Protests and marches organized at the local level, as well as
visits from prominent personalities have successfully created awareness in other states about what’s going on in
Maricopa County. This has definitely spread the word about Sheriff Arpaio’s enforcement of immigration laws, alleged
racial profiling practices, and volatile verbal arguments at the street level between foes and supporters of the sheriff.
Prior to November of 2008, no amount of protests prevented, however, Arpaio from being elected for the fifth time as the
sheriff of Maricopa. That was the main setback for the attempts to stop Arpaio from continuing with the same line of
enforcement of immigration laws. And instead of backing off after his reelection, Arpaio has continued to aggressively
enforce his delegated authority to combat illegal immigration. Protest after protest he has made it very clear that he is not
stopping or changing his tactics, and rather has told those who oppose him that they need to change the law.
The snowballing effect that protesting against Sheriff Arpaio has had in many states of the nation, in terms of exposing his
enforcement practices, has created a bigger awareness against him, but at the same time has generated more support
for him in places where he was either unknown or relatively known. After this June 19 meeting with Reverend Sharpton, he
said to local television that “the bottom line, and he (Sharpton) understands, is that I’m not going to change anything…”
On the other hand, during his speech at Pilgrim Rest, Sharpton presented an idea nothing new to local organizers and
activists, by saying “what we need to do is start some freedom rides through this county, where we all start coming here
riding in these cars and filming to turn over to the federal government...” Perhaps Sharpton is not aware that federal
government agencies are already investigating Sheriff Arpaio, and that videos of alleged violations have already been
turned over to authorities in Washington.
But even when the Maricopa County Sheriff Department (MCSO) is being investigated, Arpaio has more chances of
walking away unpunished than the opposite, as in the Department of Justice’s letter to the sheriff nothing indicates that he
will be prosecuted for racial profiling and discrimination, but rather reward his department with assistance. “If, on the other
hand, we conclude there are such violations, -states that letter- we will inform you of the findings and attempt to work with
the MCSO to remedy any such violations. In addition, we will identify any financial, technical, or other assistance the United
States may be able to provide to assist the MCSO in correcting the identified deficiencies.”
Sharpton’s visit to the Valley, as the visits of singer Zack de la Rocha to support immigration reform marches a few
months ago, continues to prove that, locally, Arpaio is a very hard nut to crack. And whether a popular singer-activist of
Mexican descent marching on the streets of Phoenix or a preacher-activist giving an inspiring speech behind an
improvised pulpit in a church’s gym, Arpaio still has Arizona laws and immigration laws -like the contentious 287 (g)- to
back him up. Sadly, when dude de la Rocha and brother Sharpton leave, the Josés of Maricopa County will continue to be
handcuffed and put in the county jails to face bad food and a sure deportation.
Copyright © 2009 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
| Grassroots Journalism www.barriozona.com |
Activist's visit to Phoenix continues to prove that Maricopa County sheriff is a hard nut to crack at the
local level.
local level.
By Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
June 19, 2009
BARRIOZONA
June 19, 2009
African-American Top Gun Al Sharpton Meets Unmovable
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
