Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 365-2273; jteixeira@nclr.org
Leticia de la Vara
(602) 309-402; leticia.delavara@gmail.com
National Hispanic civil rights organization calls for accountability after Department of Justice finds pattern of discrimination against Latinos in Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
PHOENIX—NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will make a major announcement at a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11:00 a.m. MST to call on Arizonans to hold accountable the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), led by Joe Arpaio, for the pattern of discriminatory practices against Latinos as documented in a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) report last month. The press conference will be held at Valle del Sol located at 3807 N 7th St. in Phoenix.
Outrage among Latinos throughout the nation has grown as Sheriff Arpaio continues to lead the MCSO, and especially after just launching his reelection campaign. Daniel R. Ortega, Jr., a Phoenix attorney and Chair of NCLR’s Board of Directors, will join Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO, in speaking to the impact that such discrimination has on public safety and what must be done to repair the breach of trust that these actions have created between law enforcement and the Latino community.
NCLR had previously denounced the discriminatory practices of the MCSO, which according to the DOJ report include unlawful stops, detentions, and arrests of Latinos, and discriminatory treatment of Hispanic inmates who speak limited English and are punished and denied critical services. The department said it has reason to believe that under the leadership of Sheriff Arpaio, MCSO has engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional conduct that violates federal law, confirming that MCSO’s practices unfairly target and discriminate against Latinos.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Press conference to hold Sheriff Joe Arpaio accountable for the MCSO’s discriminatory practices against Latinos, along with an additional major announcement
WHO: Daniel R. Ortega, Jr., Chair of NCLR’s Board of Directors
Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO
Luz Sarmina, President of Strategic Initiatives
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. (MST) (Arizona Time)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
WHERE: Valle del Sol
3807 N 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
To RSVP for this briefing, or obtain additional information, please contact Julian Teixeira at jteixeira@nclr.org or (202) 365-2273.
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