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Protest Against Sheriff Joe Turns Violent
The AP via YellowBrix
January 18, 2010
PHOENIX, AZ – Thousands of immigrant rights advocates marched in front of a county jail in Phoenix Saturday in a protest that was aimed at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration efforts and was marked by a clash between a small group of protesters and police officers.
Organizers say the protest was meant to show officials in Washington that Arpaio shouldn’t handle immigration enforcement, and that Congress and the Obama administration need to come up with a way for immigrant workers to come to the country legally.
The three-mile walk that started in a west Phoenix park ended by afternoon at the Durango Jail Complex, a collection of five jails, where officials played music, including a record by singer Linda Ronstadt, to drown out noise made by protesters. Ronstadt took part in Saturday’s protest.
Protesters chanted “Joe must go” as they approached the jail complex. One person carried a sign that said “We are human” and bore a picture of a lawman with a wolf’s face. A family of five wore T-shirts saying “Who would Jesus deport?”
For his part, Arpaio said he wasn’t bothered by the protesters and that they should be directing their frustrations at Congress because it has the power to change America’s immigration laws.
“They are zeroing in on the wrong guy,” Arpaio said. “They ought to be zeroing in on the president.”
The demonstration was peaceful until police say protesters near the end of the procession started throwing water bottles at officers. Phoenix Police Lt. Pat Hofmann said officers used pepper spray as they tried to separate protesters from an officer who was trying to take away the bottles.
Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said on-scene supervisors described a group of demonstrators purposefully disrupting the demonstration by assaulting several police officers and a police horse.
He said one demonstrator struck a police sergeant on the head and chest with a flagpole. Two others threw water bottles, possibly containing rocks, at other officers, but missed.
Hill also said a police officer on horseback was assaulted while her horse was mobbed, punched and pushed. The officer used pepper spray to stop the assault.
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excop23260
8 months ago
700 Comments
Its not so good whatever way we take it. For MY money, Sheriff Joe is almost always right, and should be supported by our government. "Demonstrators'? You sure these were not criminals? Plus, a mounted Officer's HORSE was assulted as well? Other Officers were assaulted? maybe Sheriff Joe's response was a bit more 'controlled" than mine would have been. When I was a supe, my Officers came before violent criminals.
swatj10
about 1 year ago
760 Comments
The way I see this is immigrants need to stay away. Congress needs to but out and allow our CBP/ ICE agents do what they are supposed to do.
rrosaslawenforcement
over 3 years ago
46 Comments
WHY IS IT THAT WHEN YOU HEAR OR SEE THE WORD IMMIGRANT THE FIRST THING THAT POPS INTO YOUR MIND IS LATINOS? WHY ARE THEY ONLY FOCUSING ON LATINO IMMIGRANTS WHAT ABOUT CANADIANS, ASIAN, AND ALL THOSE OTHER RACES THAT MIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES? DO NOT FOR GET THAT EVERYONE THAT STARTED LIVING HERE WERE IMMIGRANTS AS WELL. THERE IS NO SINGLE RACE TO DEFINE THE TERM AMERICAN. ASK YOURSELF IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY STRICT ON IMMIGRATION IN THE PAST FOR EVERY OTHER PLACE NOT IN THE U.S. WOULD YOU BE HERE RIGHT NOW? NO YOU WOULDNT. SOME ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COME FOR A BETTER LIFE. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER IMMIGRANTS THAT JUST COME TO CAUSE CHAOS AND COMMIT CRIMES, BUT WE ESTABLISH SOMETHING TO MINIMIZE AT LEAST THE AMOUNT OF MIGRATION WITH OUT COMPLETELY ELEMENATING IMMIGRATION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME NOW. YOUR DECENDENTS AS WELL AS MINE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM. IF THE LORD HELPED US TO HAVE LIFE AND CONTINUED TO DO SO THROUGHOUT LIFE WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO HELP OTHERS? AS A POLICE OFFICER WE SERVE THE PEOPLE. AND YOUR FORGETTING THAT THEIR TAXES PAY THE POLICE TOO. WE HELP ANYONE WHO CALLS FOR HELP NOT JUST CITIZENS. "ON THIS LAND, EVERYONE IS EQUAL AND HAS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY" NO WHERE DOES IT SAY IT ONLY APPLIES TO CITIZENS. IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO USES STEROTYPES AND WONT HELP SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, YOU SHOULDNT BE IN THIS PROFESSION BECAUSE YOUR PERSONAL VIEWS AFFECT THE WAY YOU ARE AS A POLICE OFFICER. I DONT MIND THAT MY TAXES HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR FOOD, MEDICARE EXC. WHAT I DO MIND IS THAT MY TAXES ARE HOUSING AND FEEDING CRIMINALS FOR FREE THAT HAVE KILLED OUR FELLOW OFFICERS, LOVERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, HEROS, NEIGHBORS, CHILDREN AND CONTINUE TO BREAK THE LAW. THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE MINIMIZED NOT ELEMINATED.
kemartin1
over 3 years ago
54 Comments
I think this Sheriff is great, I personally would love to work for him, folks like it or not he has guts and as they say in Full metal jacket " guts is enough" Lets face it we simply cannot afford illegal immigration to continue. If you have any care for your Legal Born American Kids you would understand this. It may sound corny but illegal immigration and the de-valuing of citizenship is truely what destroyed the Roman Empire. Whats the old saying those who forget history tend to repeat it. God help us
delvic_25
over 3 years ago
372 Comments
huh
LordEnki
over 3 years ago
24 Comments
Well I agree with it should be aimed at Washington but I feel there is more to blame than Washington the American business men hire these people and when they get caught they are fined and the sent their merry way, the illegals get to go to Jail and then are deported to their country so they can do it all over again it's almost as if someone is letting this happen just to get more taxes out of us.. If the law would start putting the owners or top executives of these companies in jail the practice of hiring these people would stop, and these illegals would stop coming here. And as a human being this sheriff I like the clothes he makes them ware but the tents are skirting cruel and unusual punishment he's in a desert for god sake if one of his inmates dies from heat exposure the tax payers of the city or county will pay for the lawsuit.
Just a note the city of Jacksonville Fl is erecting a new courthouse and when immigrations went their they busted a whole lot of illegals and the the only thing that happened to the construction companies were they were fined and are still working on the job site again here's an example these companies should have been escorted of the job site and not be allowed back and should be revoked from working or bidding on government jobs.
goose50
over 3 years ago
10 Comments
President Arpaio......that has a nice ring to it!
LAWMANTUKES
over 3 years ago
6558 Comments
"TopRad" Said it all.... I agree 100%..!!!!
TopRad
over 3 years ago
68 Comments
The only reason we have so many illegals trying to get into this country is because our (insert expletive) government freely allows them to, and they know that the vast majority will face no, absolutely no, action to kick them out. Its called the path of least resistance. If, by some miracle, illegals would pay taxes, pay for their medical care, pay for their kids to attend school, learn our language, and work and pay for all the things that almost every legal American ( we do have our percentage of home-grown a$$holes) works and pays for, then maybe they will have earned the right to stay in this country. But unfortunately, the vast majority do not. And those folks who want congress to come up with a way for these people to become citizens, first you need to come up with a way for these people to work and pay for that citizenship. You can't waltz (crawl, swim, climb, etc) into this country, work a job or two that pays under the table without taking out taxes, expect the public to pay for your medical care, your kids school, even the roof over your head, and expect to become a legal citizen. Congress won't legalize every illegal alien because they know that if they did, those folks would be expected to pay for things themselves, or at least contribute, and they won't do it. Getting back to Joe, he's doing what 99% of every other sheriff and police chief won't do, and that's to try to keep America for Americans. At least he has the guts to try. Those idiots who were protesting...well, they obviously don't realize that the taxes they pay, if there were any actual tax-paying citizens in the fray, is going towards paying for the medical care, schooling, housing, and sustenance (food stamps, welfare, etc) of all those illegal aliens. Keep up the good work Joe! And don't worry about Hussein O...in three years, he'll be out of a job anyway. Joe will still be around!
lawmanaz
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
I have to agree with michaeld123. You have to live in Maricopa County to understand why Joe must go. As a wife of a retired Phoenix Sgt (one who was involved with Joe personally), he over steps his bounds when he goes into a city without communicating with the local Chiefs. If you look at the numbers, they don't add up. The reason Joe is out there is all about him seeking publicity. I wish that he could stem the flow from Mexico, as these illegal’s cost us a lot of money. But, until the Fed’s come up with a plan, they are here to stay.
outonbail
over 3 years ago
62 Comments
How is Joe abusing his power?
“Illegal” aliens are illegal because they are breaking the law.
I was always under the impression that enforcing the law was the responsibility of our law enforcement agencies?
Or is it that only legal citizens must obey the law, while illegal aliens get a free pass?
It wouldn’t be so bad if these aliens came here and followed American traditions and laws, but they prefer to turn America into Mexico. I never understood this. Because if they want to live in a neighborhood that is just like Mexico, they could just stay in Mexico.
wolfhoundcop
over 3 years ago
18 Comments
Although I don't agree with all of Joe's tactics, I applaud him noone the less for at least doing something. The FEDS don't like it, then they need to get their ass in gear and do something themselves. This passing the blame game by the FEDS gets pretty tiring.So FEDS, "PUT UP OR SHUT UP". As for p7196, take a chill pill, the "so called idiots" have the same rights under the constitution as you. Attacking our fellow citizens diminishes your point. Remember, many Americans (Republicans) voted for Obama, but do you think they would admit it....Noooooooo....lol
The beef you have is with the "federal handling" with immigration laws, so write your senator and congressman. Quit attacking Americans.
kevin0906
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
no joe is the best in az
p7196
over 3 years ago
72 Comments
Yeah Joe Must Go! Go get more of the "illegal aliens" off the streets and out of our country. If you want to come here first off learn our damn language. Then come here the legal way. To the bleeding heart liberal ba$tards, why don't you go to the other countries and see if they will learn our language to appease you. You idiots want to give these people rights that only AMERICANS deserve. Don't give me the ole' america is made up of people from other countries either. They came here legally. They learned the language, they support us and they totally became AMERICANS the legal way. So you trolls can go screw yourselves.
PDPATCHES
over 3 years ago
68 Comments
J1SD ---- Another example of one who does not fill out their profile. Another Troll!