Resistance grows against Arizona's "Show Me Your Papers" law

01/20

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Salvador Reza, long-time community organizer, Sheriff Joe Arpaio's opponent and “Festival of Resistance” against Arizona's "Show Me Your Papers" law, takes a break next to a sign (written in Spanish) that reads “SB 1070 is Racial Profiling.”.

02/20

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Strong Mexican and Native-American symbolism were on display during the "Festival of Resistance" rally. A sack of pinto beans, a poster with the likeness of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata and a “We Have Rights” poster oppose SB 1070.

03/20

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A hand-made sign accusing Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of murdering jail inmates is on display during the "Festival of Resistance" against Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law. Jail inmates have died while in the sheriff’s custody.

04/20

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A sack of pinto beans and a poster with the likeness of Mexican revolutionary hero and martyr Emiliano Zapata represent a strong Mexican and Native-American symbolism against Arizona’s SB 1070 law at the "Festival of Resistance" rally in Phoenix.

05/20

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A “Resiste” –Spanish for “to resist” or “withstand”– poster hanged on a fence of the lot where the “Festival of Resistance” was held, seeks to inspire undocumented immigrants to show resistance to SB 1070, Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers," law.

06/20

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Community organizer and Arpaio's opponent Salvador Reza listens to a man who sells ice popsicles during the "Festival of Resistance" against Arizona's "Show Me Your Papers," law. Reza and his group "Barrio Defense Committees" organized the rally.

07/20

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A large poster tells “Festival of Resistance” attendees that SB 1070 –Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers"– law “is not a law,” as opponents argue it promotes racial profiling of immigrants and citizens of brown skin alike in Arizona.

08/20

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A large banner on display at the “Festival of Resistance” invites people to join an economic strike against companies and products like Frito Lays, Bud Light, Wells Fargo Bank and Arizona’s baseball team the Diamondback’s.

09/20

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A large poster tells “Festival of Resistance” attendees that SB 1070 –Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers"– law “is racial profiling,” as opponents argue it promotes racial profiling of immigrants and citizens of brown skin alike in Arizona.

10/20

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A “Stop the Hate” sign hangs below a bandstand where the “Festival of Resistance” rally was held to oppose the implementation of SB 1070’s law Section 2b, the provision that allows now police to ask for papers to check the legal status of people.

11/20

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“Organize and Fight,” is the message (written in Spanish) on this large banner below a bandstand, on display at the “Festival of Resistance” rally organized to oppose the implementation of Arizona’s SB 1070’s law Section 2b.

12/20

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A “Stop SB 1070” poster hanged on a fence of the lot where the “Festival of Resistance” was held, seeks to inspire undocumented immigrants to show resistance to SB 1070, Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers," law.

13/20

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A banner (written in Spanish) tells “Festival of Resistance” attendees that SB 1070 –Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers"– law “is not a law,” as opponents argue it promotes racial profiling of immigrants and citizens of brown skin alike in Arizona.

14/20

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A “Stop SB 1070” poster hanged on a fence where the “Festival of Resistance” was held, seeks to inspire undocumented immigrants to show resistance to SB 1070, Arizona’s "Show Me Your Papers," law. City of Phoenix skyline is seen in the background.

15/20

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An iconic poster against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio with his likeness and portrayed as an abuser of his authority is seen on display on the fence of the lot where the “Festival of Resistance” was held, in Phoenix, Arizona.

16/20

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A poster against immigration raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants in Arizona and elsewhere in the United States is seen on display on the fence of the lot where the “Festival of Resistance” was held, in Phoenix, Arizona.

17/20

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Several immigrant families attended the “Festival of Resistance” to show their opposition to Arizona's "Show Me Your Papers" law, as Section 2b was implemented, allowing police to ask for papers to check legal status.

18/20

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19/20

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“We Are Not Immigrants in Our Own Territories,” -the sign on the left- refers to land rights of the original peoples of America. Advocates argue brown skin people have natural rights and therefore should not be considered immigrants in the U.S.

20/20

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The “Festival of Resistance” held in Phoenix, Arizona to oppose SB 1070 –Arizona's "Show Me Your Papers" law– included a march around the Fourth Avenue County Jail, an incarceration facility run by Sheriff Arpaio’s office. Some 150 people attended.

Report current story

After more than two years of protests and legal fights, controversial section 2b of Arizona's immigration law SB 1070 was implemented allowing police officers to routinely check the legal status of people. Activists display symbols of resistance.