In April, after Arizona’s papers please bill was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer, thousands of people streamed into the state to protest, hold vigil and start fighting back.

In that first week, Reverend Warren H. Stewart spoke to a crowded church of community members, activists and leaders and said that the 21st century civil right movement had been awakened.

Today, that is more evident than ever. Across the country, people are marching in the streets, risking arrest and holding vigil in reaction to Arizona’s law and the lack of leadership from the administration and Congress to enact just and humane immigration policies.

In New York, activists spanned the Brooklyn Bridge in their march for justice with the New York Immigration Coalition:

In front of the Cook County jail, in Chicago (via @garciaemanuel):

Activists from Puente Arizona engaged in civil disobedience outside of Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s headquarters, shutting down a planned sweep the raging cowboy anti-immigrant had planned for today. (photo via puenteAZ)

At least 30 people have been arrested in various places across Arizona (via AltoArizona):

Busloads of protestors from California and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles traveled through the night, arriving in Arizona today for the final night of the 103 consecutive night vigil in front of the capitol with partners Promise Arizona.

In short, Reverend Stewart was insightfully prescient in his determination of this moment in history. This is what a movement looks like. It has been awakened and it is flexing it muscles today.

You can see more photos and videos and read more about actions at:

ColorLines

MyFoxPhoenix

AZCentral

And if you’re on twitter, be sure to follow these guys for updates: @willcoley, @ndlon, @JneriRI4A, @puenteaz and @Trail2010.

Categories: Arizona, Civil Disobedience

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