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July 20, 2012

Class-Action Latino Discrimination Lawsuit Against Sheriff Arpaio Opens in Arizona 
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A class-action lawsuit alleging widespread discrimination against
Latinos by the notorious Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio opened
Thursday in Arizona. Plaintiffs represented by civil rights groups are
accusing Arpaio of violating the rights of Latinos by systematically
targeting them for traffic stops and detention. Among evidence cited in
court papers are Arpaio's own statements about his "pure program"
intended to "go after illegals, not the crime first." One plaintiff is a
Mexican tourist who was a passenger in a car pulled over by deputies,
ostensibly for speeding. Though the white driver was neither arrested
nor cited, the Mexican passenger was arrested despite having a valid
visa and identification. Another lawsuit against Arpaio brought by the
Department of Justice alleges his office also punished prisoners for
speaking Spanish and neglected to investigate a massive number of sex
crimes.

 

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