Women, children and families march against SB1070 in Phoenix, Arizona

On Mother’s day, approximately 500 women and children from Phoenix marched to the State Capitol to protest against the enforcement of immigration laws SB1070 and 287(g) that are separating migratory families.

 

Women and children are the most affected by harsh immigration laws that are being enforced in Arizona. Anti-immigrant raids organized by Maricopa County’s Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, is separating families. Mothers and fathers are forced to leave behind their children, with no one to take care of them.

 

In the wake of  SB1070, an immigration enforcement law signed by Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer which will be implemented in July 29^th, migrant families are stepping out to reject it. They are already suffering from the effects that 287(g) and the Secure Communities program is causing on their life’s: family separation, physical and psychological abuse from law enforcement officers, racial profiling and deportation without due process.  And they know that the situation will only worsen once SB1070 is implemented.

 

On May 9^th, women leaders from Seattle, Oakland, Milwaukee, New York, New Orleans, Santa Barbara, and Miami participated in an Emergency Women’s Human Rights Delegation listening sessions to hear testimonies about the impact of SB 1070 on women and children affected by racial profiling sweeps and raids.

 

These women participated in the Mother’s Day March, and called for national attention and action on this issue. They are demanding for President Obama’s intervention to nullify SB1070, terminate 287(g) as well as the Secure Communities program.

 

You can see more pictures of Mother’s Day March here.