Group questions Arizona lawmakers’ immigration status outside Capitol
Feb 1, 2018, 12:07 PM | Updated: 7:44 pm
(Photo: Marilyn Rodriguez)
(Photo: Marilyn Rodriguez)
PHOENIX — A group of protesters questioned some Arizona lawmakers on Sunday about their immigration status outside of the State Capitol Building.
State Rep. Cesar Chavez (D-Glendale) told KTAR News 92.3 FM that at least one of the protesters asked him about his immigration status.
Lobbyist Marilyn Rodriguez said she overheard protesters — some claiming they were armed — asking both lawmakers and schoolchildren about their immigration status.
A video posted to YouTube (WARNING: LINK CONTAINS PROFANITY) appeared to show protesters yelling, “They’re illegals. Get legal or get out of America,” and similar statements at brown-skinned people.
The protesters also appeared to have followed people walking out of the Capitol building. They were asking things such as, “Do you work here? Are you a lawmaker?” before asking them if they supported illegal immigration.
Several people confronted protesters in the video. An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper asked both sides to stop cursing.
State Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Senate President Steve Yarbrough expressing concern about the protesters.
“I can tell you that the Democratic staff who were yelled at by the protesters and called illegals definitely felt harassed,” she wrote.
At least two lawmakers — Republican Reps. Jay Lawrence and Bob Thorpe — spoke with the protesters and posed for a photo with Patriot Movement AZ.
(Facebook Photo)
Patriot Movement AZ has denied they asked lawmakers about their immigration status or bothered other people.
“We weren’t harassing anybody,” the group said on Facebook. (WARNING: LINK CONTAINS PROFANITY)
The group did not return an email asking for further comment.
