As Holiday Weekend Approaches, ACLU of Eastern Missouri Issues Alert To State Residents Traveling to Arizona
Arizona Racial Profiling Law Threatens Civil Liberties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
CONTACT: Debbie Read 314-652-3114
June 30, 2010– In response to civil liberties threats caused by the recent passage of Arizona’s racial profiling law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri issued a travel alert today informing Missouri residents of their rights when stopped by law enforcement when traveling in Arizona. The unconstitutional law, known as SB 1070, requires law enforcement agents to demand "papers" from people they stop who they suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S. If individuals are unable to prove to officers that they are permitted to be in the U.S., they may be subject to warrantless arrests without any probable cause that they have committed a crime.
Although the law is not scheduled to go into effect until July 29, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri is concerned that some law enforcement officers are already beginning to act on provisions of the law. Moreover, there has been a history of rampant racial profiling by law enforcement in Arizona, especially in Maricopa County, as well as a stated anti-immigrant policy of “attrition through enforcement” by Arizona lawmakers meant to create a hostile enough environment for Latinos and other people of color that they voluntarily leave the state.
“During the summer travel season, Missouri residents should understand their rights before going to Arizona,” said Brenda Jones, Executive Director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri. “Residents of Missouri need to know that under this law, people who look ‘foreign’ are more likely to be stopped for minor infractions like having a broken taillight or jaywalking and then asked for their ‘papers’ if police believe, from their appearance, that they could be in the country unlawfully.”
In addition to the travel alert, the ACLU has made available materials in English and Spanish on individuals’ rights if stopped by law enforcement in Arizona or other states as a result of SB 1070 or for any other reason. The materials include a downloadable card with instructions – applicable in any state – on coping with vehicle stops and questioning by police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the FBI, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document about SB 1070.
“Our goal is to protect Missouri residents from illegal harassment from law enforcement and to make sure they know their rights should they encounter it,” said Redditt Hudson, ACLU-EM Program Associate. “A high proportion of our residents fit the racial profile that police will inevitably use to enforce the law. Unfortunately, it is very possible that Missouri residents will experience racial profiling and unlawful detentions in Arizona as a result of this extreme and discriminatory measure.”
The ACLU and other leading civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona law in May, but until the law is struck down, the ACLU warns that individuals traveling in Arizona must be aware of their rights if stopped there.
Information and Resources
Travel Alert for Arizona
ACLU-EM Travel Alert for AZ (pdf)
2010 Bust Card "What To Do If You're Stopped by the Police, Immigration Agents or The FBI.
2010 Bust Card_What To Do (pdf)
LEARN MORE
About the Arizona law, our lawsuit, and an ACLU video and slide show, can be found at: www.aclu.org/what-happens-arizona-stops-arizona
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
There are numerous reports that state lawmakers elsewhere are already considering bills similar to that of Arizona's. Even if you think your elected representatives and governor are sympathetic on this issue, they need to hear from you that you will not tolerate a dangerous racial profiling law in your state. Please write your state representatives and governor now.
UPCOMING EVENT
The ACLU of Eastern Missouri is part of a group of organizations hosting a Thursday, July 22 St. Louis event featuring David Harris, a national expert on racial profiling. Event will be held is 7:00 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. For more info contact John at 314-652-3114 ext 26 or john@aclu-em.org
|
