PHOENIX The Rev. Al Sharpton on Friday called for opponents of an Arizona sheriff who has aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration to videotape alleged racial profiling by the sheriffs office.
The civil rights leader said the videos will help the U.S. Department of Justice in an investigation of alleged civil rights abuses by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaios office.
Were gonna start some freedom rides around this county, to show how people of a certain color are treated different than other people, Sharpton told a crowd of several hundred people at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix.
Sharpton spoke with Arpaio later Friday in a meeting that the sheriff called cordial. Arpaio said Sharpton did not mention his freedom rides plan, but asked about racial profiling. I tried to educate him that we dont do it, Arpaio said.
Sharpton had planned a press conference after the meeting but was whisked away as dozens of Arpaio supporters rushed towards him. About 50 protesters for both sides were outside the sheriffs office in downtown Phoenix, separated by a police line.