Today's march headed toward the state capitol
The Republic estimates the crowd at 10,000:
The throng of people banged drums, chanted slogans asking President Barack Obama to intervene and waived American flags as they made their way toward downtown Phoenix. Organizers were scattered throughout the protesters picking up trash and providing water to the marchers as the day got progressively hotter.
Shortly before 12:30 p.m., the first of the protesters reached the Capitol after the long march from central Phoenix. A stage is set up in the middle of the Capitol complex where speakers will address the crowd in a post-march rally.
Arizona Capitol Times is covering the march, too, but ups the crowd-size estimates considerably:
Tens of thousands of protesters, composed of activist groups and unions from around the country, marched from Indian Steele Park in mid-town Phoenix on their way to the state Capitol May 29, trying to send a message to state and federal politicians: Repeal Arizona’s new immigration law.
1:05 PM
A few shots from the Pride Parade
Phoenix is odd when it comes to gay issues. I hang out downtown as much as most people, but can’t remember seeing a single hint this week it was Pride Week, or that the parade was Saturday.
Gays don’t exist here in a “don’t ask don’t tell” way, but it does seem as if there are unspoken rules about getting too noticeable.
Anyway, the parade wasn’t off the hook or anything, but fun. A few pix:
Dykes on Bikes
Rodney Glassman is a Tucson city councilperson who may be the Democratic candidate for Senate in the fall. He had the biggest presence of any pol in the parade. Mayor Gordon rode on a Wells Fargo wagon; Krysten Sinema, Ken Clark, Ken Chevront and Ed Pastor were other ones I noticed.
One of the more creative groups.
This was as racy as it got.
A bears film group. The idea, I think, was that they were movie zombies.
PHXated salues PFLAG!
8:41 AM
A Critical Mass video from Friday
Critical Mass Phoenix from Downtown Devil on Vimeo.
5:51 PM