Copwatchers in Arizona Challenge Arpaio
From Time Magazine:
âAnother factor (in the law numbers of immigrant detentions in Arpaioâs recent sweep) may well have been Lydia Guzman, a prominent Hispanic activist, who, along with a group called CopWatch, designed a detailed messaging system to warn the Phoenix Valley of immigration sweeps. Guzman sent an initial text blast to 100 rapid response teams of business owners, Spanish radio stations, pastors and teachers, each of whom messaged their respective networks. At the same time, Guzman contacted lawyers, social workers and elected officials to be at the ready to help. âIt spiderwebs out,â she says. âBefore you know it my text tree spreads out to thousands of people.
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In addition to Guzmanâs tweets, CopWatch visibly tails police operations. On Thursday, in one small West Phoenix mobile command center, members of CopWatch monitored police communications. âThey just said â294 Kingâ â that means immigration. Letâs go,â cried one member listening to the police scanners. And with that CopWatch activists grabbed cameras, lawyer contacts and car keys to follow Arpaioâs sweep.â
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An awesome heroic effort on the part of CWers in Arizona!