Arizona immigration law: Sharpton vows protests if law isn't repealed

Bring it on you little prick- can't wait to see his freedom marchers in 115 degree Phoenix heat. The stupid bastard!

Arizona immigration law: Sharpton vows protests if law isn't repealed
by JJ Hensley - May. 5, 2010 06:29 PM
The Arizona Republic
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The Rev. Al Sharpton vowed to bring "freedom walkers" to Arizona this summer to engage in non-violent civil disobedience if the state's strict new immigration law goes into effect.

Sharpton made his promise during a late Wednesday news conference attended by Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and other activists opposed to the implementation of Senate Bill 1070, approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23.

Speaking before a prayer vigil at the at Pilgrim Rest Church, 1401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, Sharpton compared the fight against the law to the civil rights struggle in the American South, arguing that there will be no way to enforce the law without having police engage in racial profiling.

As Sharpton spoke, several anti-Sharpton protesters carried signs nearby at 15th and Jefferson streets.

Arizona's new immigration law makes it a crime to be in Arizona illegally. Sharpton and other critics predict it will lead police to single out Hispanic citizens for questioning and detention if they cannot prove residency.

"You can amend it, you can bend it, you can do anything you want to it,'' Sharpton said, but he said the law will continue to promote racial profiling.

If legal challenges fail, the New York activist vowed to come back on the eve of the law's effective date and take action, including not carrying proof of citizenship and submitting nonviolently with the intent of being arrested with other protesters.

"We intend to have the right people stand up for what's right,'' he said. "If it becomes necessary, we will bring people from all over the country to be freedom walkers in Arizona.''

"The only ID we'll have in our pockets is the U.S. Constitution, which gives us the right to equal protection under the law."

Sharpton was scheduled to take part in a march from the church to the state Capitol after a 6 p.m. service for a candlelight vigil with other protestors.