Phoenix Rally Organizers Rebuke Phil Gordon

PHOENIX (By Nick Martin, Mesa Tribune) March 26, 2006 — The coalition that organized Phoenix’s massive, 20,000-strong, pro immigration rally this week demanded an apology Saturday from the city’s mayor and vowed more demonstrations.

It is reported that Gordon was told “a couple of thousand” would show up to march. Instead, over 20,000 illegals and illegal-supporters showed up clogging streets and freeway on and off ramps and stopping commerce in the city. Gordon advised the protest leaders that he should have been informed of the correct numbers. But, the organizers have blasted the mayor for saying anything about the illegals’ marches.

The coalition put out a scathing news release Saturday in response to the mayor’s ire.

Maupin said: “For the mayor to ignorantly criticize a non-violent group of community leaders, especially those of color, shows his callousness & lack of understanding of the movement for civil and human rights in this country. Why else do people march in the streets? To block traffic. To dramatize the issue.”

Police said they were told to expect up to 3,000 people at the rally, far fewer than the number that showed and filled up 24th Street between McDowell and Camelback roads.

Because of the rally, police shut down surrounding streets and freeway off-ramps. Traffic in the area was clogged for hours. The mayor and city are expected to discuss possible repercussions Monday.

Gordon, as well as the leaders of some of the 15 groups in the coalition, could not be reached Saturday for comment. Some of the coalition leaders were at a similar demonstration in Los Angeles that was 500,000-strong by some estimates.

The release went on to promise further demonstrations unless Gordon immediately apologized for his criticism.

Maupin said there will almost surely be more demonstrations this week whether the mayor apologizes or not. As for blocking traffic, well, Maupin said, that was the point.

“Why else do people march in the streets?” he said. “To block traffic. To dramatize the issue.”

Meanwhile, Phoenix police estimated the rally was one of the largest, if not the largest, in the city’s history. No arrests were made and the demonstration was generally civil, a police spokesman said.

The demonstration was prompted by a federal bill, HR4437, which would make illegal immigration a felony with mandatory jail time. Currently, crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor and offenders are typically deported if caught.

The House bill is scheduled to be heard on Monday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. Part of Friday’s rally involved a march to Kyl’s Phoenix office.