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PHOENIX - More than 50,000 people are expected
to march through downtown Phoenix on Saturday, May 29, to protest
Arizona's new immigration law.
The law requires authorities to question people about their immigration
status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally.
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, a restaurateur, says
Mexican-American citizens are horrified at the prospect of being
arrested and deported for lack of documents.
"I have people coming to my restaurant, just in fear. Older people who
have been here and their families have been here, are now asking,
'Should I get a passport to protect myself?'"
Organizers are also expanding a national boycott of companies linked
with campaign contributions to supporters of the new law. That boycott
began with picketing at Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games. One of the
latest targets is a beer distributorship largely owned by the wife of
Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain.
Alfredo Gutierrez, who chairs the Arizona Boycott Committee,
says a political action committee controlled by the distributor has
contributed heavily to lawmakers responsible for the new Arizona law.
As director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network,
Pablo Alvarado says marchers will demand that President Obama and his
administration refuse to cooperate with Arizona's new law, and end
agreements on immigration enforcement with local police.
"That the administration assert the federal government's exclusive
authority to enforce immigration law."
Saturday's march begins at 8:00 a.m. at Steele Indian School Park,
Phoenix. Backers of the new law are planning a counterdemonstration,
also on Saturday.
