“King” Russell Pearce threatens to lock up union members

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1495 creating a state militia that she could deploy at any time, and for any reason. Brewer signs bill authorizing volunteer state militia. At the time I sarcastically commented that she could use her personal militia to put down union protestors protesting her plan to end civil service merit selection for public employees (coming to a special session later this year).

Apparently sarcasm is lost on "King" Russell Pearce (who twitter feeds this blog) and he took that comment to heart. Stephen Lemons who writes the Feathered Bastard at the Phoenix New Times reports, Russell Pearce Threatens To Lock Up Union Members, Public Employees:

The latest addition to the Pearce foot-in-mouth disease compendium is a remark he made at a recent Legislative breakfast given by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, where Pearce threatens to lock 'em up, should public sector employees and unions representing them ever follow the lead of their brothers and sisters in Wisconsin.

According to the Yellow Sheet, Pearce made this crack about what he and his buddy Sheriff Joe Arpaio would do if workers stood up for their rights and demonstrated:

"I've spoken with the sheriff, and he has some nice buses that hold a lot of people. We've also got some tents with a view."

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The Chamber's breakfast was attended by numerous politicos, many of them trying to play comedian. But the Yellow Sheet does not report Pearce's unconstitutional threat as a joke, and does not mention any laughter in response.

Rebekah Friend, executive director of the Arizona AFL-CIO sure isn't laughing. The organization issued a press release lambasting Pearce. In it, Friend is quoted, thus:

"I find it deeply chilling that an elected official finds it funny to discuss jailing a group of people expressing their First Amendment rights…Suggesting a police crackdown before a rally has even occurred is just more of the same intimidation, threats and innuendo we've come to expect from Senator Pearce and his crony Arpaio."

What you can do: Citizens for a Better Arizona (the Recall Pearce website here) is organizing a massive walk for signatures for this Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers should check in during this time at the main branch of the Mesa Public Library, 64 E. 1st Street in Mesa.