Headlines for Friday, April 23, 2010

Arizona Governor signs controversial immigration bill
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a controversial immigration measure into law today. She described the measure as another tool to solve what she called a crisis that the federal government has failed to fix.

“This bill, The Support Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, strengthens the laws of our state. It protects all of us – every Arizona citizen and everyone here in our state lawfully. And it does so while ensuring that the constitutional rights of all in Arizona remain solid, stable and steadfast.”

The bill mandates that police determine the immigration status of anyone they come in contact with – even if the only thing that suggests someone may be an immigrant is their physical appearance. Should they fail to do so – law enforcement agencies can be sued. The measure has been widely criticized by law enforcement, both immigrant and victim’s rights advocates, and civil libertarians. President Obama said today that a failure to enact responsible federal immigration policy opens the door to irresponsible anti-immigration efforts like the measure in Arizona.  

“The recent efforts in Arizona threaten to undermine the basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. In fact, I’ve instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation.”

In East Los Angeles earlier today, Latino truck drivers and day laborers said that if the bill is signed – they’d boycott the entire state of Arizona. Julio Marroquin is with the Laborers International Union of North America – they represent many organized transportation sector workers in Southern California.  

“The truckers have decided that they won’t take any food, merchandise anything to Arizona in response to what they are doing.”

US Congress member Raul Grijalva – who led protests against the measure – closed his Arizona offices at noon today after receiving multiple death threats.

Multiple blasts across Baghdad kill more than 50
In Baghdad today, numerous bombs exploded across the city – at least 58 people are dead. Varying reports say there were between 6 and 13 blasts – most targeted Shia mosques during Friday prayers. The blasts follow yesterday's announcement that yet another high level al Qaeda leader was recently detained. In the past week, US and Iraqi forces have killed at least three high level al Qaeda in Iraq leaders, and detained a number of others.

Denmark forcibly deports Iraqi asylum-seeker
Protesters gathered at the Copenhagen airport today to witness the forced repatriation of an Iraqi asylum-seeker and soon to be father-of-two. Sondre Bjordal was there.

Two American hikers detained in Iran suffering health issues
Two of the three American hikers detained in Iran are in ill health. Swiss diplomats were allowed to visit the three yesterday, and report that Sarah Shourd and Shane Bauer have both received medical attention while in the Iranian prison, but their families remain concerned. During their first visit in five months, Swiss authorities learned that the three are considering a hunger strike. Shroud and Bauer – along with Josh Fattal – say they accidentally strayed into Iran while hiking in July. Iran has indicated they will face as yet unannounced charges.

Whaling Commission offers compromise that allows commercial whaling
The International Whaling Commission has published a compromise plan that seeks to dramatically reduce the number of marine mammals hunted each year – but would allow commercial whaling, even in the Southern ocean whale sanctuary. The proposal would dramatically reduce the total number of whales killed each year by the three nations that continue to hunt despite a global ban on commercial whaling. Japan, Iceland and Norway would each commit to specific quotas – but would be allowed to hunt whales for commercial purposes with declining quotas over the next ten years. The commission next meets in June.