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Protest Against Sheriff Joe Turns Violent

276 Comments

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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-82

J_T

over 3 years ago

818 Comments

So let's see if I have this right...They come and protest in support of illegal immigration and then break the law themselves by starting shenanigans with the police? Good job Sheriff Joe for doing what he was elected to do and enforcing the laws. It's time that our other elected officials did the same.
therrmos

over 3 years ago

62 Comments

Well with this kind of response from the people the Sheriff is cracking down on, he must be doing it right! I wish all the County Sheriffs around me were like Sheriff Arpaio. Burglars get what they deserve and thats what these people are.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Keep up the good work Sheriff Joe!
alex11991

over 3 years ago

1998 Comments

Good thing there is such thing as sovereignty..Now some of them can enjoy time with their Amigos! No need in putting a uniform on them.
sigmachimarine

over 3 years ago

300 Comments

Go Sheriff JOE!!!!! Sounds like a campaign motto to me!!!!
dma0771

over 3 years ago

132 Comments

Hell why is that the people breaking the laws or the ones that are here illegally have more rights than an american citizen? Why is it that they feel the police who only enforce the laws are the evil and not the ones that are voted into office and pass the laws? I think they should have put alot of the protestors in jail with the illegals that are there for crimes not jsut being illegal and see how well the prisoners treat them.
ajsdaddyBPD

over 3 years ago

2258 Comments

WHat part of the word ILLEGAL immigrant do these people not understand? Guess the law only works when it fits their agenda. Sheriff Joe for President!
clearforcode7

over 3 years ago

396 Comments

Well done for all that you are doing in AZ. I wish their were more leaders like you across this great country.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Thank you Joe for being one of the few who will do what is right for the people.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Sheriff Joe, I hope you will hang in there. In the mean time, we have gotten rid of one worthless administration that chose not to do anything about illegal immigration, other than to attempt amnesty, in a failed rehash of Reagan, we can do the same with this one.
copper380

over 3 years ago

2026 Comments

I am glad Joe is standing up and not giving in to these small radical groups. We all need to stand up and let our voices be heard, Majority Rules!!!!! We need to stop pleasing the few and causing the many to suffer, time to stand up people, one can make a differance. many ones together make a majority!! These small groups know most people don't want to get involved, even though they don't agree with the garbage these groups are protesting about, that is how they get rulings in their favor. I saw it during Desert Storm, a group of protesters showed up at the gate to MacDill AFB with the media in tow. A few minutes later a much larger SUPPORT THE TROOPS group marched in and the protesters were heavially outnumbered and left. Get involved people, we have the power!! GO JOE!!!!
189

over 3 years ago

36 Comments

Keep up the good work Sheriff Joe...
TPD327

over 3 years ago

396 Comments

Bump to 101. Sherif Joe is my hero! Keep up the good fight Joe!
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Sure they want him out of the way. He's right. He's an American Patriot and no matter how many leftwing activists and supporter try to change America this man had 100% backing from most of us out here who are trying to live out our dreams the AMERICAN WAY.. we EARNED IT! Thru the sweat and blood of Patriots who made America the greatest country on earth. If we lose to those who think they can tread all over us then they had better take a look at the next election!
Chapman38

over 3 years ago

622 Comments

The parents of the 2 year old child should be ASHAMED of themselves! Not only for bringing them to a situation that turned violent, but for putting them in that situation AT ALL.