Update: Festival for Human Rights and National Day of Action
Free housing and a ride-share program are still available for the Festival for Human Rights and the National Day of Action in Phoenix, Arizona starting May 28th, 2010, according to sources close to the event organizer, Alto Arizona.
The three day event has been organized to protest Arizona SB 1070, which requires law enforcement to detain any person suspected of being an undocumented immigrant until their legal status in the U.S. is determined.
Because the majority of Arizona's 400,000 undocumented immigrants are Hispanic, Arizona law enforcement will be especially vigilant with Hispanics.
This places an unfair burden upon Latinos and people of color, most of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents. In addition, opponents of the Arizona law law say it is a step backwards for comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) which they hope will be introduced into the U.S. Senate shortly.
Conscientious objectors have announced Boycotts throughout the United States against Arizona after Republican Governor, Jan Brewer, signed SB 1070 into law. The City Council of Los Angeles, for example, recently voted to boycott travel to Arizona. The National Day of Action in Phoenix this weekend is a continuation of a series of boycotts and protests against a law which many consider to foster racial profiling.
A message on the Alto Arizona web page reeds:
"Puente (a human rights movement anchored in Phoenix) and NDLON (National Day Laborers Organizing Network) is calling for all people of conscience to converge on Arizona to Stop the hate on May 29th and demand President Obama take action to nullify this hateful law."
A kick-off rock concert, the Festival for Human Righs, will be held on Friday, May 28th. Rock and Latino bands include, Los Jornaleros del Norte, Olmeca, Outernational, The Haymarket Squares, and Mazameh. Saturday, is the National Day of Action in which a protest march will be held. A planning session for future events is scheduled for Sunday. Room is still available for those who want to register.
Alto Arizona is very clear about their messaging on their web page, "No drugs, alcohol or negativity." A similar message on the Puente website encourages peaceful actions of protest and civil disobedience.
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