Arizona DA Prosecutes Immigration Protesters, Sheriff Joe Goes Undeterred for Terrorizing Immigrants

The fallout from Arizona’s SB 1070 continues — as does Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s conterversial law-enforcement and immigration stances. AP reports that, on Friday, the president of a national religious organization and five others went on trial for protesting SB 1070 and Sheifff Arapaio’s immigration sweeps. Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association, is charged with a misdemeanor count of failure to obey an order. Also on trial is Salvador Reza, head of a local immigrant rights group, a UCLA graduate student, a security guard at a local music venue, and a labor union official. All protested Arapio’s immigration sweeps, which some claim are racially discriminatory.

The U.S. Justice Department has been investigating Arpaio’s office since March 2009 for allegations of discrimination and other civil rights violations. A grand jury in Phoenix is examining allegations that Arpaio’s office abused its powers, including trying to intimidate county officials.

Aren’t there more serious case that the District Attorney’s office in Phoenix should be pursuing? Just a thought. Who warrants punishment under the rule of law, the protesters or the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office?

KJ