Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (photo: Arizona Star)
19 July 12
heriff Joe Arpaio faces legal action, yet again, on charges that he has violsted the rights of Latino citizens in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Already, the county has paid out something like $50m in damages over
the years. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Mexican
American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) are bringing suit in
federal court on behalf of several plaintiffs.
Poor Joe has become something of a caricature of late. He is a symbol of mean-spiritedness, cruelty and racism. He proudly promotes his actions designed simply to humiliate prisoners.
The US department of justice has accumulated a mountain of evidence
against him, yet drags its legal feet while the racial profiling and
arrests continue.
Less than a month ago, I, along with several other
religious leaders, were treated to a tour of Arpaio's infamous "Tent
City" jail. There, prisoners are kept in tents that reach 130F heat in
the Arizona summer. The other religious leaders, including the Rev
Geoffrey Black, president of the United Church of Christ and the Rev Dr
William Schulz, president of the Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee (and former president of Amnesty International), and I were
appalled. The Maricopa sheriff's department has become a collection of
thugs with badges.
Several thousand of us – Unitarian Universalists from across the country working mano en mano with local activists and religious leaders – held a vigil outside Tent City last month.
It was profoundly moving to see a sea of thousands of people wearing
their "Standing on the Side of Love" T-shirts, waving candles and
singing in protest. They are taking that determination to work for
justice and compassion across the country.
What is happening in Maricopa County must be seen to
be believed. I am ashamed that this is happening in my country, that the
people of Maricopa County continue to re-elect this tyrant, and that
the legal system of my country does little more than scold like an inept
parent.
Two years ago, I was arrested along with more than 20
fellow ministers from across the country and a number of local
activists. We were protesting Arpaio's "sweeps" in defiance of the
ruling of a federal judge. A year ago, I stood trial for that act of
civil disobedience. During that trial, I saw deputies of the Arpaio's
perjure themselves so blatantly (and artlessly) that the judge
disregarded their testimony.
While I applaud the courage of MALDEF and the ACLU,
and wish them every success, I am more convinced than ever that the
fundamental issues before us are not legal. Arpaio continues to break
the law with impunity not because there is a lack of conclusive
evidence. Arpaio continues unchecked because some people are afraid and
because decent people who know better are timid. This is what always
occurs when tyrants rule.
What is truly frightening is that the fear and racism
that feeds Arpaio is not limited to Maricopa County, or to Arizona.
Arpaio is a hero to the extreme right. Arizona's law is being copied
elsewhere.
No American my age can watch what is happening in
Arizona and not have flashbacks to Alabama and Mississippi of the 1960s
and law enforcement officials like the infamous "Bull" Connor. I would think no European can see sweeps and racial profiling and not recall images of the 1930s.
No one should be treated the way Arpaio treats people. No one.
I hope this lawsuit is successful. More importantly, I
pray that people will turn away from fear and demagogues. I pray that
we will see our common humanity and embrace our common future.
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