Protesters gathered near Thomas Road and 35th Street in Phoenix to voice opposition to Proposition 314, also known as the “Secure the Border Act,” and Republican Jerry Sheridan’s campaign for Maricopa County sheriff.
The proposition seeks to classify illegal border crossings as a state crime and aims to grant the state more authority over the federally managed international border.
Salvador Reza is part of Los Comités de Defensa del Barrio , an organization dedicated to fighting for human rights.
At Thursday’s demonstration, Reza told The Arizona Republic that Prop. 314 would create fear in communities, separate families, and lead to increased racial discrimination by law enforcement.
Prop. 314 is frequently compared with Arizona Senate Bill 1070 , the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act,” which aimed to make Arizona the strictest state in the nation for enforcing laws against undocumented immigrants.
“If you remember how bad SB 1070 was, it’s going to get worse,” Reza said.