In a protest against the violence and anti-immigrant views promoted by Donald Trump, a multiracial coalition of immigrant rights, faith, labor and local activists peacefully rallied as well as shut down both of the main roads leading to the event to stand #UnitedAgainstHate.
They point to the Trump effect as cause for a package of anti-immigrant laws being proposed in Arizona’s statehouse – including those sponsored by the husband of Linda Kavanagh, the Mayor of Fountain Hills where the Trump rally was planned.
“In Arizona we’ve heard Trump’s hate before and we know where it gets us,” said Carlos Garcia, Executive Director of Puente Arizona in reference to the 2010 SB1070 that cost the state $200 million after a boycott and caused international embarrassment as the state became synonymous with racism. “The Trump effect isn’t just about a candidate. Trump’s ugly rhetoric is being turned into policy proposals as we speak that threaten the wholeness of our families and the safety of our communities. All people of conscience have to unite to stop it.”
“People will not sit quietly as Trump campaigns to move us back in the shadows, to the back of the bus, or back in the closet,” adds Marisa Franco, director of Mijente, a national hub for Latino organizing involved in the protest today. “The greatest act of love we can show is to shut down hate where it rears its head and demand that we do better than the cheap politics and false solutions that Trump is peddling. The billionaire may want to pit poor people against each other but our necks are not available for standing on.”
High-res photos will be added, please credit Diane Ovalle.
Follow #UnitedAgainstHate #NoMasTrumpadas #StopTrump
Puente has its next rally planned for this Wednesday, March 23rd, in Phoenix.