National Groups Organizing Over Civilian Posse in Maricopa County

And an update on a story we’ve been following on Free Speech Radio News. In Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been at the center of a growing civil rights controversy over his treatment of immigrants and prisoners. Arpaio has used his authority from a federal program to deputize volunteer possees to perform immigration sweeps, armed workplace raids, and set up checkpoints. Now national civil rights groups are getting involved. Salvador Reza is an organizer for Puente:
Today, immigrants’ rights organizers are meeting to forge a strategy on changing the federal programs that have allowed Sheriff Arpaio to form armed civilian possees; tomorrow they’ll be marching on Sheriff Arpaio’s offices.

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