Between 500 and 600 people marched from the downtown Convention Center to the 4th Avenue Jail, and then to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s headquarters, as part of protest with two demands: that Sheriff Joe Arpaio resign, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau agents stay out of the county jail.

The rally was organized by the local grassroots group Puente Arizona, and scheduled to coincide with the annual Netroots Nations conference – the largest progressive gathering in the country. This year’s Netroots Nations convention is being held in Phoenix and focusing on immigration issues.

Rally organizer Francisca Porcha of Puente told New Times that she was hoping for a huge turnout, and it appears her wish came true. Just as the last of the morning clouds burned away, a huge crowd assembled at noon on the west side of the Convention Center. As volunteers handed out extra signs and water bottles, leaders of Puente passed around a bullhorn.

Read the complete article here: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/huge-turnout-for-anti-arpaio-immigrant-rights-rally-7496698