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RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional Jorgensen Brooks Group Counselor Administrative & Professional Tucson Urban League CEO/President Mechanical Komatsu Equipment Co Resident Field Mechanic Sales and Marketing Everready Glass Sales Reps Finance and Accounting Charles E. Gillman Company Accounting Specialist Hourly UpdateArizona ACLU's legal director arrested during day laborer demonstrationThe Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.04.2007
PHOENIX — The legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Arizona was arrested on a trespassing charge during a demonstration in support of day laborers at a central Phoenix furniture store.
Daniel Pochoda, 65, was asked six times to move his car from the parking lot of the store and get off the property after the demonstration ended around 1 p.m. Saturday, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
Pochoda was arrested on a charge of trespassing on store grounds and was taken to the Maricopa County jail in handcuffs. He was released Sunday morning.
Arpaio said off-duty deputies hired for security at the M.D. Pruitt’s store and surrounding businesses had warned demonstrators, counter-protesters and reporters to stay off the property during the demonstration. He said everyone but Pochoda complied.
Pochoda could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Protest leader Salvador Reza complained that the sheriff used the protest to stage a “dog-and-pony show” and to use deputies to intimidate demonstrators.
Arpaio and the ACLU of Arizona have long had a contentious relationship.
The sheriff’s office has arrested dozens of day laborers in the country illegally in recent months using federally trained deputies.
The ACLU has said that the sheriff is misapplying a state law aimed at punishing those who smuggle immigrants into the country. The sheriff’s office is arresting immigrants under the law, saying they conspired to smuggle themselves into the country.
Pruitt’s is one of several businesses in the area that wants day laborers to stop gathering in front of its store.
County deputies have arrested more than 100 illegal immigrants in the neighborhood after they were pulled over for traffic violations.
Arpaio said anyone accusing him of preying on the demonstrators and surrounding neighborhood should know that he and his team are enforcing immigration laws everywhere.
Protesters say they will march in front of the furniture store every Saturday until Christmas.
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