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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Immigration law supporters rally

Hundreds gather at Arizona Capitol

A man carries an anti-Obama sign  at a rally in support of SB 1070 in Phoenix on Saturday.  (Associated Press)
Michelle Price Associated Press

PHOENIX – Hundreds of people supporting Arizona’s new law cracking down on illegal immigration rallied near the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon in soaring temperatures.

Hundreds of motorcycle riders kicked off the downtown Phoenix rally by riding in a procession around the Capitol. Supporters waved American flags and some carried signs that read “What part of illegal don’t they understand?”

The rally’s turnout fell far short of the march organized by opponents of the law last weekend, when an estimated 20,000 people gathered.

Demonstrators on Saturday sweated as temperatures reached 105 degrees. Some shaded themselves with umbrellas and clamored to buy cold water and ice cream from vendors.

“For them to come here when it’s over 100 degrees and stand in the heat – it’s awesome,” said 32-year-old Stephanie Colbert, of Glendale.

Colbert, who works in a restaurant, said those who disagree with the law and boycott Arizona are misguided because they hurt the immigrant community they aim to support.

“The hospitality industry has a very large population of immigrants, legal and illegal,” she said. “It’s those people’s jobs that are in jeopardy.”

Colbert and her mother, 53-year-old Pattie Sheahan, of Phoenix, said they strongly support the new law, which requires police conducting traffic stops or questioning people about possible legal violations to ask about their immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion” they’re in the country illegally.

“Everybody needs to obey the same laws,” Sheahan said. “If you want to come here, there’s ways to do it. Do it the right way.”

The law, which goes into effect July 29, will also make it a state crime to be in the country illegally or to impede traffic while hiring day laborers, regardless of the worker’s immigration status. It would become a crime for illegal immigrants to solicit work.

Critics have said the law, known as SB 1070, will invite racial profiling, while supporters have said it will help fight illegal immigration.

Bill Savage, of Phoenix, wore a T-shirt that read “Viva los 1070.” He said he attended the rally to support Gov. Jan Brewer.