Imagine yourself walking home from school as fast as you can and on your way home you pass a police car. You get a little nervous as you look down at the color of your skin and you realize that you fit the stereotype of an “undocumented” person. The police officer stops you and begins to ask you questions. You know that you have done nothing wrong. The officer asks to see your ID, and at that moment you begin to panic. You are undocumented.
On Friday 4/23, Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that would allow scenes such as the one mentioned above to take place all over the state. The sweeping anti-immigrant bill, SB1070 “allows a law enforcement officer, without a warrant, to arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the U.S.”
In 90 days this law will go in affect and will allow for state sponsored violence to occur all over Arizona. Thousands of individuals will be criminalized due to the color of their skin.
How is this a feminist issue? Why does this matter?
A countless number of people will be deported, including women of color, and the families that they belong to will be ripped apart. As feminists we have a long legacy of fighting for causes that are fundamentally unjust and are oppressive. Let’s continue with the feminist legacy of our foremothers and forefathers by spreading the word to all those you know, if you live in Arizona organize and mobilize!