The law's proponents say race has nothing to do with it, but in a moment of candor one of the architects of the law admitted it does. On the same day the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Arizona v. United States the Washington Postpublished an article featuring Michael Hethmon, general counsel for the Immigration Reform Law Institute. Hethmon is the lesser-known legal mind behind SB1070, and a variety of other anti-immigrant measures. His legal counterpart, Kris Kobach tends to get the spotlight; however Hethmon didn’t shy away from theWashington Post this week and was frank about his views on the real issues underlying SB1070. Click here to see more »
Video shows excerpts from the Senate Judicial Hearing on April 24, 2012, It also shows testimony from Phoenix as hundreds rallied and marched on April 25, eventually blocking ICE and the streets the same day the Supreme court heard 1070. 9 protesters were arrested. Click here to see more »
While many focused on the US supreme court's consideration of Arizona's SB1070 on Wednesday, events on the streets of Phoenix and not in the court, foreshadow the future of the country's immigration debate. Within the supreme court, a very narrow legal principle was discussed – as to whether Arizona was infringing on the federal government's right to set immigration policy. In Phoenix, hundreds of demonstrators were clear about what was really at stake in the high court: a negative decision would clearly worsen Arizona's human rights crisis, but even a positive ruling would not solve it. Click here to see more »
In a state where ethnic studies are banned, a video like this becomes contraband. But banned books will not erase our history, and cancelled classes will not make us forget. Through struggle, we will write ourselves back into history. Arizona's explicit stated goal is to make life miserable for immigrants and their families through a policy of attrition (aka "Self-Deportation"). Our strategy is to bring joy. And joy is what Dr. West brought when he spent a day with us in Arizona, bearing witness to the local struggle for human rights and sharing the historical context in which white supremacy continues to linger. Click here to see more »
State Sen. Russell Pearce, the controversial architect of Arizona's immigration law, was voted out of office on Tuesday evening in a special recall election. He was defeated by Jerry Lewis, a fellow Republican who does not support the immigration crackdown and has vowed to reject gifts from special interest groups and work to ban gifts for legislators. Click here to see more »
Thanks to the 5,000 attendees who came to the Festival de Resistencia in Phoenix, AZ on September 21, 2011. Thanks to the hard work of the CDBs, Tonatierra and NDLON, speakers including Mary Rose Wilcox, 3rd Space, No More Deaths, Tierra y Libertad, Southside Day Labor Center, Derechos Humanos and representatives of the organizing committees, shared the stage with Manu Chao & La Ventura. Signed original Manu Chao "Alto Arizona" posters & Festival de Resistencia T-Shirts are still available. Click here to see more »
Border Patrol destroying water jugs left by aid organizations, taunting humanitarians and exposing hateful views on camera. Watch this video on the "Culture of Cruelty" that exists within the US Border Patrol. Read More »
