Press
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Get on the Undocubus
July 21, 2012
While many undocumented immigrants are forced to live as virtual prisoners in their own homes, fearing any encounter with the government authorities, some pro-migrant activists are not only taking to the streets, they’re taking the show on the road.
The “No Papers, No Fear” campaign will mobilize activists across the country as it blazes a trail from Phoenix, Arizona–where the SB1070 law jumpstarted the campaign for immigrant rights–through New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee–states where politicians have considered similarly draconian anti-immigrant measures. The final destination will be the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina.
The “Undocubus,” set to take off on July 29, will mirror the example of the freedom rides of the Civil Rights movement, and like the original freedom riders, these folks know what it means to cross into hostile territory, and to challenge racist, anti-immigrant attacks through strength in numbers.
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Joe Arpaio Racial-Profiling Trial Draws Protestors' Calls for Justice on Opening Day
July 19, 2012
Dozens of protestors converged on the Sandra Day O'Connor federal courthouse today to monitor the opening proceedings of the ACLU's racial-profiling lawsuit against Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his office.
Melendres v. Arpaio, filed about four years ago, is a class-action lawsuit that includes plaintiffs alleging civil-rights violations committed by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
"We do want to see that this justice system finds [Arpaio] guilty of abusing his powers as sheriff of Maricopa County," Promise Arizona executive director Petra Falcon says.
Falcon doesn't believe that Arpaio is untouchable.
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Arpaio Opponents Protest Outside Courthouse
July 19, 2012
Two small groups of opponents of Sheriff Joe Arpaio protested outside the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix as Arpaio's department was on trial inside.
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Members of the Puente Movement said "The community has already found Joe Arpaio guilty – guilty of crimes against humanity, guilty of racial profiling and human rights violations." They chanted "Arrest Arpaio, not the people." -
Undocubus Set to Travel to Democratic National Convention
July 09, 2012
While most pro-immigrant activists are focusing on educating people about President Obama's new immigration policy regarding DREAM Act students, which promises to stop the deportations of some undocumented youth, the local human-rights group Puente is advocating a halt to all immigration deportations.
"[We're] challenging either places that have passed similar legislation [as Arizona's Senate Bill 1070] or [have anti-immigrant] sheriffs, or places that there is current [immigrant-community] struggle," says Puente organizer Carlos Garcia.
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