Arizona Republic: “When Gov. Jan Brewer stepped to the podium in front of a national television audience on April 23, she was resolute and unwavering in her declaration. Signing Senate Bill 1070, she said, ‘represents what’s best for Arizona’.”
1. Los Angeles Times: “Californians split on Arizona’s illegal immigration crackdown” “split” is MSM speak for favor – 50% favor & 43% oppose
2. Daily Mail: “Poll: California voters favor Arizona law”
3. Arizona Republic: “Arizona immigration law was crafted by rising star activist”
4. Arizona Republic: “Supporters: Arizona immigration law protects citizens’ safety”
5. Arizona Republic: “Thousands march in Phoenix to protest immigration law”
6. Arizona Republic: “Californians split on Arizona immigration law, poll says“
1.. Arizona Republic: “Thousands march in Phoenix to protest immigration law”
2. Arizona Republic: “Supporters: Arizona immigration law protects citizens’ safety”
3. Yahoo News: “Arizona businesses welcome crowds of protesters”
4. Real Clear Politics: “Legalize Immigration”
5. My Way: “Immigration law protesters march on Ariz. Capitol”
6. My Way: “Pirates threaten boats on US-Mexico border lake“
Wow! Arizona Governor Jan Brewer took her gloves off on Friday when she fired Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard from defending Arizona’s new immigration law, SB 1070. You can’t blame her, however, after Godddard’s statements that he opposed SB 1070 and would not defend it. The last straw apparently was Goddard’s secret meeting with the U.S. Justice Department about the law followed by his press conference.
Here is the text of Governor Brewer’s May 28, 2010 press release:
“Today the legal team I have appointed to defend the State of Arizona in the legal challenges to Arizona’s new immigration laws met with senior officials from the United States Department of Justice. The meeting was held at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“The Department attorneys were advised that I believe the federal government should use its legal resources to fight illegal immigration, not the State of Arizona. They were further advised that on behalf of the State of Arizona, I will ensure the immigration laws we passed are vigorously defended all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary.
“For some inexplicable reason, the Department of Justice officials met with the Arizona Attorney General hours before meeting with the State of Arizona’s legal team, and then allowed the Attorney General to hold a press conference to discuss the meeting. This level of coordination between the Attorney General and the Obama Administration is disturbingly similar to the coordination with Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords earlier this week on President Obama’s still unclear plan to deploy up to 1,200 National Guard troops to the border.
“Due to the Attorney General’s opposition to Arizona’s immigration laws as set forth in S.B. 1070, the Legislature required Attorney General Goddard to act at the direction of the Governor in any challenge to S.B. 1070 as amended by H.B. 2162. The Legislature also gave the Governor authority to hire outside counsel if necessary to defend the law on behalf of the State instead of using the Attorney General.
“The Legislature gave me this authority because of its lack of confidence in the Attorney General’s willingness to vigorously defend this legislation that is so critical to protecting the safety and welfare of Arizona’s citizens. Last year, I instructed the Attorney General to change his position on behalf of the State of Arizona in the Horne v. Flores case involving a challenge to the Arizona’s English language learner laws. He refused and the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately rejected his position.
“Due to Attorney General Goddard’s curious coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice today and his consistent opposition to Arizona’s new immigration laws, I will direct my legal team to defend me and the State of Arizona rather than the Attorney General in the lawsuits challenging Arizona’s immigration laws.”
See “Arizona governor Brewer removes attorney general from defense of immigration law.”
Maricopa County Superior Court Judges Barbara Mundell and Judge Anna Baca filed a notice of claim against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County arising from actions taken by former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.