In Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, thousands of people, including families with children, took to the streets, marching 3 miles, to reclaim their community against the racist and anti-migrant policing policies of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Jackie Mahendra of America’s Voice shared these images.

Among the speakers were Chicana labor leader Dolores Huerta and singer Lina Ronstadt. But this event was not about star power, rather people power.

“It’s enough of the raids. There’s so many murderers and
thieves, why doesn’t he focus on catching them?” asked Rosa
Delia Cruz, 55, whose son was arrested by a sheriff’s deputy
after a traffic stop on his way back from work, and then
deported.

“My grandchildren are afraid of going to school. They tell my
daughter, ‘Mom, if that man [Arpaio] arrests you, where am I
going to go?’” she added.

The march and rally was overwhelmingly peaceful, reflecting the heart and commitment of those in the struggle. The march was marred but what looks like to be the actions of a
provocateur.

The Phoenix Police Department said that protesters started
throwing bottles of water at police officers and assaulted a
policewoman on a horse.

Witnesses said the officer threw pepper spray at the crowd,
hitting marchers who weren’t involved in the incident.
Several children were among them.

“They come with the horse on us and used gas. My child
couldn’t breathe,” said Rocío Medina. Her daughter got cuts
in her arm after being pushed by people running away from the
pepper spray.

Via / IPS