SPLC files lawsuit against 2 Arizona groups accused of harassing migrants

PHOENIX — The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit Tuesday against two Arizona groups they accuse of harassing asylum seekers and the church volunteers helping them.

The lawsuit describes how members of Patriot Movement AZ and AZ Patriots have interfered when U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement dropped off immigrants at the churches.

The SPLC said the members of those groups called the migrants criminals, yelled at them to get out of the country and accused volunteers of participating in trafficking. The civil rights organization said many churches have stopped their public calls for support due to fear of attracting this harassment.

The lawsuit said the defendants also posted the names and addresses of the churches online, filmed immigrants and trespassed on church property, sometimes openly armed with guns.

"Groups like Patriot Movement AZ & AZ Patriots have rejected American ideals; instead, they have chosen to give voice–& in this case action–to fear & bigotry. … Their threats have prevented our clients from helping people in need."—SPLC's David Dinielli https://t.co/OIkv0dgV0l

— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) June 4, 2019

The suit said the churches have also been cautious to accept new volunteers and donors because members of Patriot Movement AZ and AZ Patriots have posed as people trying to help to gain entry.

“The defendants have harassed, threatened and caused our volunteers and church members to fear for their safety,” Angel Campos, pastor of Iglesia Monte Vista in Phoenix, said in a press release.

“When an ICE bus arrives at our church, we welcome the families with an open heart and make them feel loved, yet we do so in fear that the defendants were following the bus and will soon arrive.”

According to the SPLC, Patriot Movement AZ is also tied to two women who pleaded guilty to criminally damaging a mosque in Tempe in March 2018.

Patriot Movement AZ did not immediately return a request for comment.

Plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to stop the alleged harassment and trespassing, as well as punitive damages for the defendants’ actions.

Legal expert Monica Lindstrom told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the defendants must now file a response, and plaintiffs will likely file for a preliminary injunction to stop defendants from harassing them before a trial is held.

“Everyone in our country has the right to believe anything they want. However, they don’t have the right to break laws in furtherance of their beliefs,” she said.

[newsletter][/newsletter]

Related

Valley religious leaders say caring for migrants is difficult but worthwhileVideo: ICE releases Central American migrants to Phoenix church groupWoman sentenced to probation for damaging Tempe mosqueSAFE Alert issued as part of search for missing 92-year-old Mesa womanSouthbound Loop 101 Pima Freeway reopens in Scottsdale after fiery crashHow finding a hidden leak could save you hundreds