Arizona, a US state, recently passed a controversial law that in effect requires people to prove they are US citizens anytime a police officer wants them to. This has never happened before in the USA. It was never a police job to determine citizenship, and US citizens are not required to carry passports or birth certificates, although in many places you must produce some identification if asked to do so by the police. In practice, there is a lot of concern that this law will be used to further hassle brown-skinned people. It's worse than that, though.
Recently some mural painters were asked to make the brown kids in the mural white. That drew so much fire that the request was withdrawn.
These unfortunate events have prompted a lot of boycotting (and threats of boycotting) of Arizona by artists, businesses, and even the State of California. ("Boycott" means refusing to buy things as a political pressure tactic.)
In light of the State of Arizona passing SB1070, a law that calls for regular police officers to request documentation from people to ascertain whether or not they are undocumented, I am BOYCOTTING Arizona and will not be traveling there for any art shows I have been scheduled to appear in until such a time that this law is overturned or ruled unconstitutional. I am doing this because I believe the law is just wrong and it leads to racial profiling and discrimination, as the officers will be relying on the appearance of people to detain them.I have personally experience the effects of this law in California already. I was recently asked for “my papers” by a sheriff. At first I could not believe what I was hearing and I asked “papers for what?” I have been wrongfully harassed because of the hue of my skin. I will not support racial profiling and discrimination in any way, shape, or form, against any race or ethnic community. Immigration is a matter for the federal authorities to handle and should not to be delegated to the average police officer that is not trained in immigration law.King 157
Mad One is doing some fundraising:
Arizona Artist (Mad One) Portrays His Thoughts/Images on SB1070
Local Phoenix, Arizona street/gallery artist “Mad One” just released one of his images relating to the recent Senate bill 1070 that was just passed into house. This particular image is of “Sheriff Joe” known to be one of the toughest sheriffs in U.S. history. Prior to SB 1070 being passed by the AZ governor (Brewer) sheriff Joe has been conducting “crime sweeps” throughout the valley of Phoenix and while doing so coincidentally has been arresting illegal immigrants, drug traffickers and very few normal joe/jane doe’s like your self and I. Since the recent passing of the bill (SB 1070) sheriff Joe has planned and announced to the general public that he and his sheriff’s will be doing more crime sweeps throughout the valley, I believe and foresee that he will take full advantage of this bill on numerous levels. That is part of what made me create this piece that you see. I think it speaks for itself, just depending on what side of the fence that you stand on…..Sheriff Joe also just announced that he will be running for the states position of upcoming governor this coming year 2011. The artist (Mad One) will have a new sheriff Joe image remix prior to that time coming to do what he can for his family and other people in the community. We need to stand strong and express our beliefs and address the facts of what this particular individual (sheriff Joe) and his sheriff’s are doing is wrong in multiple ways. As we speak he is currently being “investigated” by federal law enforcement agencies. We do not need a human being like this to run our community as a governor. Please support this artist in what he is doing and standing up for his community. As I am sure this is happening close to you and or someone you know.If you have any questions comments or would like to buy a print of this image [shown at the top of this post] from the artist feel free to contact him at:Prints of both images are going for $10.00 USD! A portion of all sales are being donated to the Alto AZ foundation to assist the fighting of the recent bill just passed by govenor Brewer. Prints are 11in.x14in. Please support the artist and the movement that is affecting us ALL!
