(Disclaimers: (1) I don't know if she of the beautiful voice actually reads TPM and/or the Cafe's Eric Ward; (2) Ronstadt did not organize the upcoming day of action, just joined up with it; (3) I was not attempting to extend responsibility for Arpaio to the entire state of Arizona, as it is only Maricopa County that has re-elected him three times; (4) headline-writing is not easy.)

It was about one week ago that Eric Ward posted (in the Cafe) that   "Arizona's Crisis Needs a Nation To Respond" .  It generated much support (and some opposition) to efforts to change the way things have developed here in the Phoenix-area with regard to Sheriff Joe Arpaio/Cty Atty Andy Thomas, and their admittedly-anti-illegal-immigrant-racial-profiling sweeps/publicity stunts. 

I did not know it at the time, but apparently plans were already underway by groups led by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (and others) to have a "National Day of Action" in Phoenix, on January 16th.

Now, beautiful songstress Linda Ronstadt is speaking out against Arpaio and committing to be here on the 16th.  In addition, Rage Against the Machine's Zach de la Rocha is again in the lead, and Little Joe y La Familia will be performing.

Lest you think that Ms. Ronstadt is an out-of-touch ex-celebrity who is just getting involved because it is the thing to do, she reminds us of her family's Arizona law enforcement background and speaks intelligently about the situation in an interview with the Phoenix New Times:  "Any of us could be snatched off the street without a warrant because of the way Arpaio is applying the law," noted Ronstadt. "He's had people go and arrest Republicans that have opposed him...They have these trumped up charges, and then later on they go, `Oh well, I guess we weren't right about these charges.' By then the damage is done and people are terrified of him. That's what happens in places...where they have dictators."

She also spoke more broadly of immigration policies and her previous work along the border.  I highly recommend the rest of the article, too. 

I noted that there was talk of some TPM'ers meeting up in Phoenix to discuss issues face-to-face.  This rally (which is sure to bring out pro-Arpaio-niks, too) may be the place.  (Unfortunately, I may or may not be able to participate due to unbreakable family commitments.)