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Protest Against Sheriff Joe Turns Violent

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.

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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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  • Mourning_badge_max160_1__max50

    rlague

    over 3 years ago

    1210 Comments

    Sheriff Joe is the man. I don't care about these illegals, it is one thing to come into this country legally, get a job, serve the country, etc. however if you are a POS that decides to jump river illegally, not get a job, suck the welfare system dry and think you deserve social security benefits....gets your worthless free loading but packing. What Sheriff Joe is doing is awesome, more border town, county law enforcement heads need to take this stand. Show the illegals we will not stand for this crap anymore. As for you civil liberties people....you tree loving bunny huggers need to get a clue

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Anonymous

    over 3 years ago

    I find it amusing that this occurred in front of the jail. Open the door and throw every one of those protesters inside where they belong. I wonder how well those illegals would treat them behind bars?

  • John_groh_max50

    wiseass0282

    over 3 years ago

    10988 Comments

    I hope they got their behinds kicked real good.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    sew66badge

    over 3 years ago

    4 Comments

    How many people were arrestted? Hopefully everyone that touched or threw something at the officers.

  • Ferret_max50

    Talon

    over 3 years ago

    640 Comments

    I support the LEOs' efforts and use of force actions as they attempted to restore the public peace within a supposidly "lawful assembly". Regardless of the protesters' opinions, we must maintain order!!! That means using force just above the force the protesters use. It's unfortunate that a child was accidently struck by pepper spray ... but what parent in their right mind would keep a child at a protest when they can see the actions of protesters and law enforcement unfold before them?!?

  • Police_car_max50

    MidnightMike

    over 3 years ago

    470 Comments

    No matter what side you take in this situation, a two year old should not have been brought to the event. What ever happened to COMMON SENSE ?

  • Tazer_max600_max50

    marqmd

    over 3 years ago

    550 Comments

    Why isn't Pelosi speaking out against the violence perpetrated by these protestors as she did with the Tea Party demonstrators?

  • Tazer_max600_max50

    marqmd

    over 3 years ago

    550 Comments

    Sheriff Joe for President!

  • In_remembrance_of_oakland_pd_max50_max50_max50_max50_max50

    rhood

    over 3 years ago

    23592 Comments

    The Sheriff is on the right tract, he is enforceing the laws of this country. If you are in this country illegally, you have no rights other than to be treated humainly prior to be shipped back to your country. Keep up the good work Sheriff Joe.

  • Me_last_wk_max50

    delano388

    over 3 years ago

    4220 Comments

    GO SHERIFF JOE. STAY IN THE FIGHT.

  • Vscndsign_max50

    CAREBEAR911

    over 3 years ago

    192 Comments

    I'm chanting .."JOE MUST KNOW" Cause he knows what's up. What I don't understand is what are immigration rights activists? Don't we all have the same civil rights as a U.S citizen? Meaning what rights should an illegal immigrant have other than the right to be shipped back to where they came from?

  • Img_0103_max50

    LAWMANTUKES

    over 3 years ago

    6558 Comments

    Sherrif Joe.. "Keep-up the good work..!!"

  • Img_0103_max50

    LAWMANTUKES

    over 3 years ago

    6558 Comments

    It never surprizes me on just how hypocritical these protesters are. In the name of "Civil Rights" or for the "Equal Rights" of the lawbreakers that enter this country illegally, these "simple minded, flip flop wearing, global warming believing in A$$, liberal far left idiots..!!!.., are always thinking of themselves only. Never mind that poor Police Officer who probably has a family to take care of, and are hard working decent tax paying law abiding citizens of this great nation.. Never mind those buisness owners who go to work every day to earn a living the right, legal and proper way. Never mind the very laws that they are protected by the very Police Officers that are sworn to protect. "Yes" the very same Police Officers that their sorry A$$es would exspect to show up when they dial 9-11... Oh! It's ok to throw rocks, bottles and sticks at these fine and courageous men and women who serve.......... Or destroy property and disrupt buisnesses.. Yeh'...thats' something that the "Save the world" A$$ Wipes...@@#$%^^!!!!!!^&&*^$#%&&!!!!!....never think about..!!!

  • Img_0338_max50

    BklynsFinest347

    over 3 years ago

    2016 Comments

    All of the protesters should be deported to their origin of descent for attacking cops. YOU GO SHERIFF JOE!!

  • Steve_mcqueen_max50

    ilegworldchamp

    over 3 years ago

    8998 Comments

    At least we know that Sheriff Joe is doing his job , thats more then we can say for the "ENTIRETY OF WASHINGTON , D.C."...

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