Governor says SB 1070 will be impartially enforced, Romero calls for continued opposition
Tucson City Councilor Regina Romero, wife of progressive Congressman Raul Grijalva’s right-hand-man Ruben Reyes, has called for continuing opposition to SB 1070. The City Councilor’s demand comes as a result of Judge Bolton’s decision to lift the injunction on the identification section of SB 1070.
Despite the fact that all persons present in the United States must show some form of ID when stopped by law enforcement, Romero claims the law anti-immigrant, anti-Latino law.
Councilor Regina Romero said, “This law legitimizes racial profiling, and we want to be sure the public has an opportunity to ask law enforcement how they will work to avoid discriminatory practices.”
Councilor Romero is holding a politically motivated forum organized by some tax-exempt Tucson churches and the City of Tucson. Tucson’s Mayor and Council declared Tucson to be an “Immigrant Welcoming City” earlier this year in a 6-1 vote.
Romero’s community forum will be held on Tuesday, September 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the same church, Most Holy Trinity Parish, at which Grijalva’s man in TUSD, Augie Romero, held all of the Raza Studies forums. The tax-exempt church is located at 1300 N. Greasewood.
Tucson Police Chief Villaseñor and City Attorney Mike Rankin will join Romero to discuss SB 1070 and what it means for public safety and the City of Tucson.
At the time of the City’s vote to adopt the “Immigrant Welcoming City” status, Kozachik explained his opposition, “I’ve lived here since 1968. I’ve been through middle and high school, The University of Arizona, and into professional life; both in the public and in the private sector. That means I’ve met and befriended lots of people – who come in lots of colors and from lots of different backgrounds. Tucson is known as a city made up of transplants. Most of us are immigrants to the area from someplace. We are an immigrant friendly city.
We do not have a bunch of racist cops running around town. In fact, here is the racial breakdown of the force – note that 1/3 of our commissioned officers are non-white. They are not running around dragging people from cars and churches. What they are is equally concerned with the enforcement challenges imposed on us by SB1070. The proposed Resolution included some of Chief Villasenor’s Declaration and I’m pleased that he was included in the text.”
Although Kozachik questioned the professionalism of law enforcement in Maricopa County, yesterday at the State’s Capitol, Governor Brewer said that all of Arizona’s law enforcement will “fairly and impartially” enforce the laws of this state, “now including SB 1070. They bring their training and experience to this important task, as well as a solemn commitment to serving the public, protecting our citizens and upholding the law. That means all of our laws, including those barring racial profiling or discrimination.”