Sheriff Joe Arpaio finally went too far.

The Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff has long drawn opposition from a growing movement of activists who oppose his inhumane enforcement policies and publicity stunts. His latest stunt has now caught the attention of members of Congress who are calling for a federal investigation into allegations of misconduct.

A press release today from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary lists some of Arpaio's actions that members have found most abhorrent:

Sheriff Arpaio has repeatedly demonstrated disregard for the rights of Hispanics in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Under the guise of immigration enforcement, his staff has conducted raids in residential neighborhoods in a manner condemned by the community as racial profiling. On February 4, 2009, Arpaio invited the media to view the transfer of immigrant detainees to a segregated area of his "tent city" jail, subjecting the detainees to public display and "ritual humiliation." Persistent actions such as these have resulted in numerous lawsuits; while Arpaio spends time and energy on publicity and his reality television show, "Smile... You're Under Arrest!", Maricopa County has paid millions of dollars in settlements involving dead or injured inmates.

 

"Racial profiling and segregation are simply not acceptable." said Conyers. "Media stunts and braggadocio are no substitute for fair and effective law enforcement."

In a press release earlier this month, Arpaio's office callously described his vision for the humiliating march of detainees and invited the media to watch. Duke at The Sanctuary posted the statement:

At 1:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4, 2009, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will order of approximately 200 illegal aliens to be chained and marched into a separate area of Tent City, their new place of incarceration until their sentences are served and the illegal aliens are deported to their home countries.

Members of Phoenix-based Puente Arizona were among the groups who attended the march to oppose Arpaio. The group posted video from the day's events, which included a press conference by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors condemning Arpaio's actions:

Many different activists have worked for months to oppose Arpaio's policies, and they cranked up their efforts in February in reaction to the detainee transfer. Their continuous efforts to shine a spotlight on Arpaio's abusive practices are likely part of the reason members of Congress have taken notice.

How you can get involved:

• The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is encouraging members across the country to hold teach-ins as part of its campaign to "tamp down the hatred in Arizona in the short term and build broad consensus for rational, humane reform that preserves the United States' proudest tradition as a nation of immigrants. " NDLON also is organizing a peaceful demonstration against Arpaio in Phoenix on February 27 and 28.

 

• This week, Campaign for United America held the third in a series of concerts in Arizona called Hip Hop Against Arpaio. Visit their MySpace page to learn about future events.

 

• America's Voice has launched an online petition to the Department of Justice calling for an investigation into Arpaio's actions. Sign it here.