Our fight back to "legalized" racial profiling
Today we got the news that the US Supreme Court upheld "show me your papers" provisions of Arizona's anti-immigrant law SB1070.
This means that if law enforcement stops someone and they have "reasonable suspicion" that they are undocumented they can act as ICE agents and check their papers. In a state like Arizona that has seen some of the worst racial profiling under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, this decision basically legalizes racial profiling and creates an atmosphere of fear where people of color must carry immigration documents on them at all times.
We know that to win justice for immigrants and a real democracy for all of us, we cannot depend on the courts to define justice and rule our actions.
It will take an independent people's movement to turn the tide .I particularly like the National Day Laborers Organizing Network's call to action after today's decision. They are calling on President Obama to cut off federal immigration enforcement programs in Arizona as to not wrongly deport anyone caught under SB1070.
Here is Iowa CCI's official press release, with comments from member Victor Torres:
Conservative Supreme Court Says Yes to Racial Profiling
Immigrant Communities Prepared to Fight Back
DES MOINES, IA -- The Supreme Court today showed its conservative side by saying yes to racial profiling as it upheld Arizona’s vehemently anti-immigrant “show me your papers” provision on SB 1070. This provision allows police to check the immigration status of the people they stop.
Federal immigration reform is the only solution to this tragic and divisive court decision and the path forward is to make our voices heard everywhere. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI), along with a coalition of civil rights and community organizations, will speak at a press conference at 3:00PM today, on the West Capitol steps.
“SB 1070 has opened the floodgates to racial profiling and Arizona-style anti-immigrant laws in other states. This Supreme Court decision supports that,” said Iowa CCI member Victor Torres. “We don’t want that here in Iowa. This year, Iowans already closed the door on racial profiling by stopping the latest anti-immigrant bill at the state legislature,” Torres said.
Iowa CCI, along with other members of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), are advocating for comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act, which will motivate more Latinos to be involved and demand change from their elected officials. “With this decision, the Supreme Court is going backwards on civil rights and trampling on the U.S. Constitution,” said CCI member Victor Torres. “The community will keep fighting back, building more power to demand respect, equal treatment under the law and standing up for the dignity of all people.”
Iowa CCI will continue to fight anti-immigrant laws, unjust deportations, and organize for justice and dignity for all people.
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