The Man Infamous for His Racial Profiling and Civil Rights Abuses Lands a TV Show

December 19th, 2008

Sheriff Joe is at it again, and this time he's been given a bully pulpit by FOX in a reality TV show called  Smile, You're Under Arrest.  Instead of doing his job (the man has 40,000 outstanding felony warrants on his desk) and keeping Maricopa County safe, Sheriff Joe has focused on racial profiling by targeting people who look like immigrants (and there are 2,700 lawsuits against him). 

FOX seems to think that this makes for good ratings.  

Our friends at America's Voice (AV) and the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) are working hard to hold the "most dangerous, racist Sheriff in America" accountable.

AV is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Joe Arpaio and his abuses.  

They've created a video exposing Arpaio and a petition which they're hoping will go viral.  Their goal is to get 10,000 signatures and have a delegation present the petition-in pink underwear!  Mainstream media and bloggers alike are picking up the story.

IPC has circulated a report which uncovers the staggering cost of Sheriff Arpaio's activities.  The report-What Happens When Local Cops Become Immigration Agents?-provides an eye-opening account of the damage wreaked by Arpaio. 

Latino Politico over at The Sanctuary has reported on the news coverage to date and highlighted some efforts to support this campaign:

Group Demands Feds Investigate Sheriff Joe Arpaio
People's Weekly World - USA
America's Voice, a group that favors comprehensive and humanitarian immigration reform, released a new Web video this week slamming infamous Maricopa County ...
See all stories on this topic

Orlando Sentinel - Call for a reality check on immigration enforcer by
Video from America's Voice:  Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio is a known face in cable news shows that debate immigration policy. Unlike many of his counterparts who see immigration enforcement as...
Hispanosphere - http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_hispanicaffairs/

http://immigrationimpact.com/2008/12/17/arpaio-only-one-smiling-in-maricopa-county/
http://icirr.org/investigate_joe_arpaio
http://fairimmigration.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/action-stop-sheriff-joe/

It is time for us to put a stop to this man's dangerous antics. 

Read the full report: http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/index.php?content=fc080806
Sign the petition: http://americasvoiceonline.org/SheriffJoeMustGo