Hunger for Justice in Maricopa

By Valeria Fernández

Phoenix, Arizona -- Julio Mora was dropping his dad at work when their truck was pulled over by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies. Although Julio is a U.S. citizen and his dad has a green card, they were arrested on suspicion of being undocumented aliens. The deputies used plastic zip ties to cuff their wrists and took them into custody.

They stood in line for three hours, with other people detained in one of MCSO's latest immigration worksite raids in February. Once deputies realized they were in the country legally they were released.

Last week, Mora testified during a congressional hearing convened to investigate the use of immigration powers by local cops through agreements known as 287(g).

While his testimony may come as a shock to the politicians on Capitol Hill, in Phoenix, where Sheriff Joe Arpaio is under federal investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegations of racial profiling, the case of Mora is commonplace.

While Mora was in Washington, D.C., a group of Anglo and Hispanic youth were making a statement of their own in Phoenix. They held a five-day hunger strike, organized by Maricopa Citizens for Safety and Accountability (MSCA), calling for the resignation of Arpaio.

"We're hungry for justice," said Alicia Contreras, 25, a social-work student who fasted. "[We're hungry] for those in higher power to say that they can't close their eyes to the injustices that we see day after day. The community is really in fear."

The site chosen for the fast was the Santa Rita Hall, a tiny rectangular building tucked away in the heart of a Phoenix barrio. This was the place where United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez started his three-week hunger strike in 1972 against inhumane conditions for Arizona farm workers.

Many old-timers in the Chicano movement like attorney Daniel Ortega feel this is a revival of a movement for human rights. Back then they fought for the rights of Latino farmers. Today, the actions of the local Sheriff necessitate a fight for the rights of all Latinos -- with or without papers.

"We're a non-violent movement and we're being dealt with very violently" said Ortega. "People are getting hurt, physically beat, families are being separated. That is violence and terrorism towards our community".

Maria del Carmen Garcia Martinez knows this very well. She was arrested at her doorstep after a Phoenix police officer claimed her California driver's license was false. Turns out it wasn't.

But it didn't matter. Being an undocumented immigrant, once in the county jail authorities fast-tracked her for deportation. When Garcia resisted signing a document informing her of her custody transfer to immigration authorities, six deputies physically forced her hand and broke her arm in the process. Garcia was released 11 hours later after her attorney questioned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about her need for medical treatment.

It's unfortunate that Congress wasn't able to hear this testimony. Immigrant rights activists said politicians requested specifically to hear from US citizens. Perhaps because some of these people are undocumented, a segment of the public who believes they are criminals no matter what would be less sympathetic if they get hurt. Some in Arizona might even say they've got it coming.

Still, there are people who think this is not right. And they're willing to do something about it.

Friday, the Santa Rita Hall was packed with supporters of the fasters. Some had fasted themselves in secret, not because of fear to criticism, but to make it a private spiritual experience. Others came daily to write messages on a white sheet on the wall: "Stop racial profiling," "Sheriff Joe has to go" and "Si se puede."

As the fast ended, bread was shared among all those present.

"Gracias, muchas gracias," said Maria, an undocumented mother who came to thank Contreras for fasting. Maria was truly moved and surprised that a stranger would care about her plight.

"More than anything is the fear that we live in [because of the sheriff]. We know that we broke a law, but we're not given another alternative to come in the legal way," said the woman. "I respect the sheriff and his authority. But what he does is cruel."

Comments

[hjo4]

Perhaps if they entered America legally and lawfully this wouldn't occur. It also would help speaking our common language as all other Legal immigrants do when they choose to enter America. What's disheartening is that some US citizens are demanding that law enforcement cease doing their job to appease law breakers and their supporters. This is beyond amazing, I can't understand why Congress is entertaining these people. Enforce current immigration law and many of these claims of abuse would cease.Also one must have identification and produce it when asked to by authorities.

[MajorKong]

"It also would help speaking our common language as all other Legal immigrants do when they choose to enter America."

Many times in our history it was only the second and third generations of immigrants that really spoke English. There's many a Polish grandmother in Chicago that only speaks Polish.

Usually the second generation is bilingual and the third generation doesn't even speak the language of the old country.

[sticksnstones]

At issue is the continuing use of profiling by the Maricopa County Sheriffs Dept. It's a Police State tactic and it's illegal. By your own reasoning, it's OK to act illegally to to apprehend those acting illegally. One action cancels the other.

Spanish speaking immigrants learn English at the same rate and with an equal desire as any other group of immigrants, either now or in the past. To claim otherwise is disingenuous and reveals more about you than those you, for whatever reason, dislike.

[D-Driller]

"At issue is the continuing use of profiling by the Maricopa County Sheriffs Dept. It's a Police State tactic and it's illegal".

According to Amnesty International, it is in fact NOT illegal. 26 states have no ban on it at all, and 7 more only ban it against MOTORISTS ONLY, not for individuals on the street. 33 out of 50 states allow it, including Arizona. The quest is not whether or not you agree with the law - the point you made it is illegal, and it is not. Please go to AI's website, who tracks this type of thing closely, and check for yourself.

[D-Driller]

"More than anything is the fear that we live in [because of the sheriff]. We know that we broke a law, but we're not given another alternative to come in the legal way,"

As the woman admits, she is a criminal. No doubt in her mind that she is breaking the law - she states it plainly. One positive thing to come from this comment is that she is living in fear - law enforcement must be doing it's job well, and keeping the pressure on these criminals. I am also curious what the alternative legal way to come into the country is? This is really "slippery-slope" logic - "I know I was breaking the law when I stole that car, but I was not given an alternative to getting it the legal way"... This is becoming silly - close the borders, deport the illegals, and come up with a sensible, controlled immigration policy, with criminal background and medical screening, as well as special consideration given to those with special skills that can benefit America.