As marchers for immigrants’ rights made their way from an east Phoenix furniture store toward City Hall, Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies reportedly stopped nearby motorists and checked their immigration status – often in sight of the marchers.
Deputies pulled drivers over for traffic violations and checked immigration status, said Capt. Paul Chagolla of the Sheriff’s Office. Some of the deputies wore ski masks, witnesses said.
At least five people were detained as illegal immigrants under federal immigration law, Chagolla said. And at least two U.S. citizens were charged under laws not pertaining to immigration — one for a suspended driver’s license and one for stealing a beer at a convenience market, Chagolla said.
The Sheriff’s Office Web site says deputies have arrested 565 illegal immigrants in recent months.
About 100 marchers started from M.D. Pruitt’s furniture store on Thomas Road near 34th Street about 9 a.m. Dec. 19 and reached the Phoenix City Hall a little after 2 p.m. Dozens of anti-immigrant protestors were there to greet them. The crux of the protest – for both sides – was whether Phoenix police should overturn a rule that prevents officers from stopping or arresting people for being in the country illegally.
The Phoenix City Council had no item on the agenda regarding what is known as Operations Order 1.4, but Mayor Phil Gordon has said the rule needs relaxing. He has selected a panel to study the issue. Immigrants-rights advocates spoke out against Gordon’s proposal during the public comment period.
Linda Brown, executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network, said the City Council would hurt its legacy if it amended Operations Order 1.4.
Manuel Hernandez said 9-11 awakened prejudice toward immigrants.
The council took no formal action on it.
On sidewalks outside City Hall, tempers flared as people argued about immigration.
An unidentified woman riding a bicycle got into a heated exchange with Rick Galeener, a Vietnam veteran.
Galeener told her to go back home.
“I’m Navajo, go back to Europe,” she said.
“We don’t want your kind in America,” Galeener said back.
Former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez helped to direct the march. As he walked along 16th Street earlier, he said the state’s reputation has been damaged by the anti-immigration stance taken by some public officials.
“The country is finally beginning to realize that Arizona is to the Hispanic community what Mississippi and Alabama were to the African-American community during the civil-rights movement,” Gutierrez said.
Michelle Dallacroce, part a group called Mothers Against Illegal Aliens, saw things differently.
Standing outside City Hall, she said the city should let police officers arrest illegal immigrants.
“The safety of the police officers is at stake, and the safety of our citizens is at stake,” Dallacroce said.