Tribune/Debra Reid - An immigration reform protester confronts a counter-protester holding a driver's license and sign reading "Viva Arizona" during Saturday's march in Reno. The counter-protester supports a new Arizona law allowing police to arrest anyone without proof of American citizenship.
Tribune/Debra Reid - Demonstrators gathered in Reno Saturday to protest the so-called "show me your papers" law recently passed in Arizona. The law allows Arizona police to arrest anyone without proof of American citizenship.
According to the text of Senate Bill 1070, a law enforcement officer, without a warrant, may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States — i.e. is an illegal immigrant.
Those protesting on Saturday voiced concerns about the bill ultimately leading to racial profiling of the Hispanic community.
“Basically, what this bill is is a method to legally enforce racism,” Sparks resident and volunteer for Nevada Hispanic Services Rosa Marquez said. “An officer can stop and ask for identification from anyone they believe is an illegal alien, which means that people can be stopped solely for the color of their skin or for not being fluent in English.”
Nevada Hispanic Services is a nonprofit organization that refers people to other agencies and provides translation services if necessary.
Written in the bill are stipulations against profiling, according to a statement released by Brewer.
In the statement, Brewer referred to the portion of the bill that states, “This section (regarding officers asking for identification) will be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States citizens.”
“It is crazy to think that this won’t lead to profiling,” Reno resident Gabriel Castillo said. “This law is just so unfair, and just disrespectful to the Latino people.”
Castillo said that he has previously been discriminated against when applying for jobs in Reno after he legally became a citizen because of his Spanish accent.
“This law really sends the message that it’s OK to discriminate against an entire group of people,” Castillo said.
Marquez said that she became very familiar with the bill immediately after learning of its passage since she knew people would want to know more about it.
“People have been coming to me just asking what’s the point of the bill,” Marquez said. “The governor said it was to make Arizona safer, but I’m wondering how stopping people for no reason aside from the fact that they are Hispanic is going to achieve that.”
The march ended at the Grand Sierra Resort where a Cinco de Mayo celebration was taking place.
“Even though Cinco de Mayo is celebrated a lot more in America than it is in Mexico, it’s good to have a way to celebrate our culture,” Cassandra Ortiz of Reno said. “This is a place where the Hispanic community can gather together and really not feel ashamed of who we are.”
SB 1070 is set to go into effect 90 days after the current legislative session adjourns, which will be in August.
Post a Comment