August 14, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOENIX – Today, the Arizona Supreme Court once again revealed its true colors as a GOP-packed court, siding with those who seek to strip away the rights and dignity of Arizonans rather than standing for the betterment of our communities. Today’s unanimous decision threatens the fundamental freedoms and civil rights of all Arizonans by paving the way for the dangerous and discriminatory Proposition 314 to appear on the ballot this November.
In a statement, LUCHA Executive Director Alejandra Gomez said, “Prop 314 is more than just a bad piece of legislation; it is a direct assault on Arizona’s communities. Prop 314 is designed to create a separate immigration system that will facilitate the mass deportations outlined in Trump’s Project 2025 agenda. The motivations behind this proposition are clear: to instill fear, promote racial profiling and enable the unchecked over-policing of Arizona’s neighborhoods. If Prop 314 passes, every Arizonan, regardless of where they live, will be subjected to intense scrutiny, invasive stop-and-frisk tactics, and an unprecedented level of law enforcement investigation.”
Viri Hernandez, Strategy Director at Poder In Action, said, “In the time since SB 1070 was passed, two of the largest law enforcement agencies in Arizona have proven themselves incapable of policing our neighborhoods without using racialized violence and discrimination against people of color. The Arizona Supreme Court decision to allow Prop 314 on the ballot tells law enforcement that continued racial profiling is acceptable in Arizona. And it reaffirms what communities of color have known for a long time- the justice system in Arizona was never built for our safety. We will continue to fight for and protect our communities in the face of ongoing state violence.”
Prop 314 will cost Arizona taxpayers $314 million a year to implement - money that will be taken away from our schools, from public safety, from our roads and bridges and instead be used to turn our communities into police states. This bad piece of public policy will create an Arizona where people are targeted based on the color of their skin or the sound of their last name with impunity. This proposition is a clear and present danger to civil liberties and must be stopped.
Gomez Continued, “LUCHA will not stand by and allow this unjust ruling to go unchallenged. We are committed to knocking on more than 1 million doors across the state to inform and mobilize voters against Prop 314. This will be a major motivator for Latinos and all Arizonans who value justice, freedom, fairness, and dignity. We will not rest until Prop 314 is defeated.”
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