Joe Arpaio heckled from interview

PHOENIX ARIZONA — Heckers forced Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio off the stage at a First Amendment forum sponsored by Arizona State University’s journalism school. He was asked by a panel of journalists Monday night to explain his relationship with the media, his various law enforcement policies, and whether his office conducts racial profiling.¹

Arpaio told the panel that his office is an “equal opportunity law enforcement agency” that will arrest anyone who violates the law.

Later in the interview at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, protesters began loudly singing and chanting as Arpaio was asked about a federal investigation and his policies on illegal immigration.

The sheriff told the panel the outburst was “ridiculous” and he left the stage.

ASU journalism school dean Christopher Callahan later called the protest misplaced.

Misplaced? This is exactly how the leftist journalism students feel about 1st Amendment rights. It wasn’t “misplaced” at all. In fact, this story is a statement about journalists, journalism school, and the relationship with the Open Border Lobby.

1. AP (December 1, 2009) Hecklers upstage Ariz. sheriff during interview Retrieved from http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iAhp1r4UPsEiWWcQ9q–FNie_eYgD9CAJS502 [↩]