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Prop. 200 prompts protest in Mesa
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More than 100 people, most carrying signs, marched in protest of Proposition 200 Saturday in downtown Mesa.
The group, members of Movimiento Estudiantin Chicano de Atzlan, walked along Centennial Way near First Street during the noon hour.
Participants included people from the Valley and the Southwest, including Texas and New Mexico.
Proposition 200, which will be on the Nov. 2 ballot, would require new voters to offer proof of citizenship, and state and local governments would be required to verify legal residency before extending "public benefits" to people who apply.
The leader of the protest, Phoenix resident Francisco Avalos, 17, said the proposition would affect all residents’ lives, and make the lines longer at the state Motor Vehicle Division and deny benefits to people who really need them. "It’s not a race issue or a gender issue," he said.
Also on Saturday, a rally against the proposition was held at the Los Arcos United Methodist Church in Scottsdale. Gov. Janet Napolitano led an Arizona Interfaith Network "No on Proposition 200" rally organized by East Valley Interfaith and Valley Interfaith Project.
Supporters of the proposition claim the measure would simply enforce state laws and stop illegal immigrants from registering to vote or receiving certain government benefits.
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