Arizona media sources are reporting on a major student walkout this afternoon, in protest of SB 1070 (the racist "anti-immigration" bill. As of 3:18 MST, the Arizona Republic is reporting that 2,500 students are involved.
Hundreds of students from high schools across Phoenix walked out of school and marched to the Capitol on Thursday, joining other activists urging Gov. Jan Brewer not to sign the immigration bill.
...
"We're U.S. citizens; we were born here," said Jessica Perez, a Tolleson High School student. "It's not right that they separate us from our parents."
...
The students said their voices need to be heard, even if they aren't old enough to vote. They said their goal was to protect their family and friends from possible racial profiling.
Some great reporting also on the local CBS affiliate (KPHO); they're putting the number of protestors at over a thousand.
This bill is not the "done deal" that some might think. Governor Jan Brewer has until Saturday 5 PM MST to sign or veto it. If she does nothing, it becomes law automatically, so it's basically the same as signing it. She's already stated she won't be signing/vetoing the bill today. Personally, I think the memories of the AZ Boycott following the MLK Holiday fiasco of the late 80s-early 90s may lead her to veto this, to avoid the inevitable economic fallout. If she vetoes it, she'll probably lose the Republican primary; if she signs it, however, she loses Arizona Hispanics (who tend more Republican than in most other states) for the Republican party for years.
I'll try to update with more information as it comes available. If you have a link to add, let me know in the comments section.
Updates 2:58 PST and 3:13 PST: from AgavePup, for our Kossacks in Tucson:
Rally in Tucson Friday 2pm Armory Park!!!
We don't run from a fight!
4-6pm vigil
The Coalición de Derechos Humanos has planned a protest and candlelight vigil for later today (thurs) from 4 to 6 p.m. (AZ time) at the state building at the intersection of W. Congress St. and S. Granada Ave. in Tucson.