Chained Immigrants on Parade: Who Will Stand Up to the Sick Antics of a Racist Sheriff?

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



Chained Immigrants on Parade: Who Will Stand Up to the Sick Antics of a Racist Sheriff?

By Casey Sanchez, SPLC's Hate Watch. Posted February 10, 2009.

The media devoured a blatant and dehumanizing publicity stunt orchestrated by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.



Last week in Maricopa County, Ariz., more than 200 Latino immigrants were chained, dressed in prison stripes and forced to march down a public street from a county jail to a detainment camp in a desert industrial zone outside Phoenix.

Along the way they were filmed by television news crews and guarded by at least 50 Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies, wearing body armor and combat fatigues, armed with shotguns and automatic rifles. At least two canine units were present; a Sheriff’s Department helicopter hovered overhead.

The massive show of force was pure stagecraft for a blatant and dehumanizing publicity stunt orchestrated by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The MCSO gave no indication that any of the immigrant prisoners were particularly violent or presented a grave danger to the public.

According to a MCSO press release, 220 immigrants were transferred to a “Tent City” surrounded by electrified fencing. “This is a population of criminals more adept perhaps at escape,” Arpaio stated in the press release. “But this is a fence they won’t want to scale because they risk receiving a shock – literally.”

The press release further detailed how the immigrants will be treated like any other prisoners, “with two exceptions.” First, “Arpaio wants them to be instructed in American immigration laws, as a way to help them understand that the violation of these laws has serious consequences not only to them but to society as a whole.” Second, immigrants who violate jail rules will be put on a desert chain gang. “This chain gang will work to clean the areas which have been impacted by human trafficking trade,” the release stated. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/immigration/126124/chained_immigrants_on_parade%3A_who_will_stand_up_to_the_sick_antics_of_a_racist_sheriff/

[BlooInBloo]

1. Expect cheering from the entire anti-foreigner DU crowd.

EDIT: And remember: race has nothing to do with it.

[Hello_Kitty]

8. Expecting strawmen from the pro "globalization" and cheap labor crowd.

Right on schedule....

I happen to live in Arizona where this fascist racist prick of a Sheriff reigns. I despise him. I also oppose greedy business people exploiting poor, desperate people from south of the border so that they can have a pliable, cheap, and politically-neutered workforce.

[EmilyAnne]

2. This is something from a nightmare. I can't believe this is happening in my lifetime and in my

country.

It makes me sick and sad.

[jody]

3. Arpaio did get people's attention. Perhaps the 200 Latino immigrants can sue like the 16 illegals

are suing Roger Barnett in Arizona.

[marmar]

4. David Duke got people's attention too.....doesn't mean he should be legitimized.

n/t

[jody]

5. "legitimized"? Let ACLU sue and the courts say whether Arpaio's actions were legal. n/t

[Two Americas]

7. "illegals"

I would suggest, if I may, that describing human beings as "illegals" debases both our view of the law and our concept of human rights.

Actions are illegal, as determined under the law and through due process. Human beings are not illegal. People have the right to self-determination and to the presumption of innocence and their day in court.

[a la izquierda]

9. Oh come on...

it's the cool thing to do.:sarcasm:

There are some real a-holes on this site. Turning someone into "the other" makes people feel better, even Democrats.

[classysassy]

6. The insane

sheriffs of arizona.

[roody]

10. It's a good time to donate to Southern Poverty Law Center.

They will make mincemeat of this sheriff.