Former PODER co-Founder Calls for Day of Action in Arizona for Immigration Rights

A couple of months ago we featured an interview with   Sylvia Herrera who is co-founder of Austin based PODER  People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources. She talked to us about what was going on in Arizona and th e fight being waged against an out of control sheriff named Joe Arpaio. She explained that Arpaio had embraced a new controversial program called 287G which essentially grants local law enforcement the power to act as Immigration agents. Many felt that Arpaio was abusing this agreement as disturbing report after disturbing report has come out about people being unfairly profiled, detained, and man handled both on the streets and in jails by Arpaio’s deputies. Things got so out of hand that Arpaio’s agreement to do 287G on the streets were terminated, but he was and is still allowed to work utilize it in jail.

In this clip Sylvia Herrera explains the 287G program, how Joe Arpaio has been abusive, and the role the Obama administration has been playing in all this along with their immigration policies.

http://www.swift.fm/SouthernShift/song/13746/

In this next clip we ask Sylvia Herrera how is it in a city like Phoenix which has a large minority population that a guy as reactionary as Sheriff Joe Arpaio is able to operate in such a tyrannical fashion. She explains to us at Southern Shift the political landscape, whether or not voting works, the success stories they’ve had  and other tactics being used to deal with Arpaio.

http://www.swift.fm/SouthernShift/song/13748/

In Part 3 of our interview, Sylvia Herrera talks about the upcoming day of action that is scheduled to take place in Phoenix on January 16th 2010. People from all over the country are expected to come including large delegations from Texas.  Herrera talks about the significance of this day of action and what to expect. Thus far icons like Zach De La Roca and Doleras Huerta are expected to be on hand.

http://www.swift.fm/SouthernShift/song/13750/

In Part 4 of our interview, Sylia Herrera talks about how immigration is more than just Brown faces coming in from Mexico. We talk about the plight of Haitians and South East Asians and how all forces are networking and building on common ground around the immigration reform.

http://www.swift.fm/SouthernShift/song/13756/

Below is a call to action that comes courtesy of our friends over at La Nueva Raza

ARIZONA: Urgent Call to Action! January 16th 2009 in Phoenix Arizona 

Dear Friends,

The time has come to once again take the streets and stand up against hate! Twice in the past year we have stood up with resounding response and results. After our two previous five thousand plus people actions: First, investigations from the US Justice Department and FBI were started. Second, congressional hearings were hosted and the entire nation now knows of Joe Arpaio and his constant abuse of human rights. We have all succeeded in bringing to the forefront the atrocities that the 287g and ICE Access programs bring to our communities, now we must unite to stop their abuse.

At this time we are making an urgent national call for all peoples concerned and engaged in changing the course of hate in this country to join us January 16th 2010 in Phoenix Arizona. It is time, just like Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement took the streets of Montgomery Alabama that at that time was the epicenter of hate; we must do the same in Phoenix. This date is significant because it marks one year of the Obama administration that has resulted in the continuation and expansion of the anti-immigrant Bush policies. It is also the weekend we celebrate Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement struggles of the 60’s. Once again we are at a crossroads when people from our communities are being used and treated unequally.

Unfortunately fear and injustice remain prevalent in Maricopa County, not much has changed as Joe Arpaio and his Sheriff Deputies continue to terrorize the streets of Maricopa County and continues his physical abuse in the jails with the 287(g) agreement. Racial profiling by city, county and state law enforcement is rampant. The state of Arizona continues to racially profile under the guise of implementing anti-migratory worker and smuggling laws.

Knowing justice is on our side we must unite and face terror with valiant actions toward eliminating inequalities and hate from our midst.
Zach de La Rocha, Linda Ronstadt and Dolores Hureta have conformed to join us and march with us. All we are missing is YOU!!!

For more information call (602) 314-5870 or email carlos

If you need housing please fill out the housing request form and return it to sandramania53. Please forward to any organizations or groups that you think would like to join us.

From MLK’s own words-

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He, who accepts evil without protesting against it, is really cooperating with it.” Martin Luther King, Jr.