Protesters gathered near Thomas Road and 35th Street in Phoenix to voice their opposition to Proposition 314, also known as the “Secure Borders Act,” and Republican Jerry Sheridan’s campaign for Maricopa County sheriff.
The proposal aims to classify illegal border crossings as a state crime and give states more power over federally controlled borders.
Salvador Reza is Los Comites de Defensa del Barrioan organization dedicated to fighting for human rights.
At Thursday’s demonstration, Leather told The Arizona Republic that Proposition 314 would create fear in communities, separate families and lead to increased racial discrimination by law enforcement.
Proposition 314 is often compared to Arizona Senate Bill 1070, the Supporting Law Enforcement and Safe Communities Act, which aims to make Arizona the toughest state in the nation when it comes to enforcing laws against illegal immigrants. will be done.
“If we remember how bad SB 1070 was, it’s going to get even worse,” Reza said.
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Phoenix’s immigrant and Latino communities are also concerned about the potential harm Republican Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan could cause if elected.
Sheridan, along with former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, were charged with civil contempt for failing to comply with U.S. District Judge Murray Snow’s orders in a racial profiling lawsuit filed against MCSO.
“He (Sheridan) is a constitutional sheriff, which means he has given himself the authority to arrest people who are aiding and abetting foreign enemies,” Leather said. “For them, the people who come here to work are foreign enemies.”
The demonstration took place outside where court-appointed monitors in the Melendrez racial profiling case held a community meeting to discuss MCSO’s progress.
