Protesting Arizona's SB 1070
By Cinthia Rodriguez
It's been a week since Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the bill on illegal immigration into law. And over the past few days people have been protesting all over the nation and in San Jose as well.
The Silicon Valley Alliance for Immigration Reform and MAIZ organized a small vigil on Monday, April 26, over 150 people protested at the corner of Story and King Roads in east side San Jose. The people are outraged about what's going on in Arizona and voiced solidarity with the people of Arizona.  
"Immigrants are a vibrant force in our culture, economy and society. They come here to work, to be reunited with family or to avoid persecution. The recent passage of SB 1070 is out of tune with our American values. As Americans, we believe in family, equality, the right of allegiance to this great country, and prosperity through hard work. NOW is the time for the Obama administration and Congress to step up to the plate and fix our broken immigration system in a thoughtful, well-reasoned and humane manner. By stalling immigration reform, we are undermining the fabric by which the United States was formed," states Patricia Diaz, Executive Director of SIREN.
The law requires officials and agencies of the state and political subdivisions to fully comply with and assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws and gives county attorneys subpoena power in certain investigations of employers. It establishes crimes involving trespassing by illegal aliens, stopping to hire or soliciting work under specified circumstances, and transporting, harboring or concealing unlawful aliens, and their respective penalties, as stated in the fact sheet provided by the Arizona State Legislature.
Opponents of the law have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Latinos regardless of their citizenship status. Not carrying the proper identification or required papers is now a crime and anyone suspected can be stopped.
The law will take effect in August, but before that, demonstrators remind people to attend the march on May 1. Everyone will meet at Story and King Roads in San Jose, and the march will begin at 4pm.