Arizona Indymedia on July 29th

On Thursday, July 22nd Judge Susan Bolton overheard arguments both for and against an injunction on SB1070. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside against the law, and seven were eventually arrested for blocking the streets immediately adjacent to the courthouse (video) (more video). Several demonstrators also rallied in support of the law, including avowed neo-Nazis like Harry Hughes, seen being interviewed by CNN.

Judge Bolton is considering two separate lawsuits that request for an injunction before the law goes into effect on July 29th. The lawsuits were filed by the U.S. Justice Department and by a coalition of civil liberties organizations including the ACLU and MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund). The judge made clear during the hearing that she will not enjoin the entire law, although she has yet to rule on a number of specific statutes.

Organizations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson are calling for a state and nation-wide day of action against the law on July 29th, which they plan to go forward with whether or not the law is enjoined. In Phoenix a coalition of groups is calling for civil disobedience against a list of targets, while in Tucson an overnight vigil will begin at the state building at 5:30 p.m. on the 28th, and organizers are calling for people to flood downtown at 8 a.m. on the 29th followed by a day of diverse actions scheduled to take place across the city.

Organizers across the state of Arizona are calling for people to engage in active resistance against SB1070, and for national and international solidarity on the 29th. Stay tuned to Arizona Indymedia for more updates!