Thursday, July 29th – 8:30 PM, South gates of the Capitol
On July 6th, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit that challenges Arizona’s SB 1070, which essentially legalizes racial profiling and demands the increased collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement. The Justice Department has also asked for a court injunction so that SB 1070 does not go into effect on July 29th. Regardless of whether SB 1070 does indeed go into effect on the 29th, it is important to stand in solidarity with those in Arizona who are resisting that legislation.
It is equally important to draw attention to existing ICE ACCESS programs that presently allow the collaboration of ICE and local law enforcement. An ICE ACCESS program called Secure Communities is currently available in 437 jurisdictions in 24 states (including here in Travis County), with plans to expand this program nationwide by 2013.
Legislation such as SB 1070, as well as ICE ACCESS programs, will lead to not only an increase in detentions and deportations, but also an increase in racial profiling and civil rights/human rights violations. The vigil on the 29th will be not just about supporting resistance to SB 1070, but also a call to uncover the truth behind ICE and police collaboration.