Protests Against Immigration Results In Numerous Arrests

Multiple arrests were made at a courthouse rally in Phoenix, Arizona, for protesting against Arizona’s new immigration law.

Two large groups of demonstrators and protesters were seen marching the streets from the state capitol to the federal courthouse. As they were marching down the Phoenix streets, they were monitored by a regiment of police officers suited in riot gear.

As Police officers handcuffed and escorted protestors back to their police vans, a crowd of speculators erupted in chants, screaming out “racists go home”. Before the demonstrations down Phoenix streets began, protesters against the immigration law promised to form a non-violent civil rally. Among those arrested at the courthouse was former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez.

Arizona is planning to ask an appeals court to lift a judges’ ruling. Citizens against the immigration hope to fight the small victory of the state government and take the ruling to the U.S Supreme Court.

The new law was intended to take full effect on Thursday; however there was a delay due to hundreds of protestors who marched from the state capitol to the federal court house where U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton issued her ruling.

When protestors were escorted into the office of Maricopa County, they began chants saying, “Sheriff Joe, we are here, we will not live in fear.” Sheriff Joe Arpaio has made illegal immigration as his top priority as Sheriff. Arpaio stated that if protesters were disruptive, they would be arrested.

“My deputies will arrest them and put them in pink underwear, count on it.” Referring to one of his odd methods of punishment for prisoners.

Arizona is the nation’s leader of illegal immigration, having over 400,000 undocumented illegal immigrants. Arizona’s border with Mexico is a gateway for smugglers and immigrants into the United States. In defense, Arizona State government officials say the immigrants drain funds from hospitals, schools, and other services.

100 protesters gathered in Mexico City’s U.S Embassy to learn the ruling from a laptop computer. These 100 people were travelers from Mexico and often traveled to the United States on a work permit.One traveler said, “I was waiting to hear because we’re all very worried about everything that’s happening. Even those with papers, we don’t go out at night at certain times there’s so much fear of the police. You can’t just sit back and relax.”