Packing for Vacation? Remember the Sunscreen, Camera, and the ACLU Know-Your-Rights Card
Summer vacations to the Grand Canyon will require a little extra preparation this year. Along with your camera and hot-weather gear, make sure to pack a copy of the ACLU's new know-your-rights card (PDF), advising you of your rights if stopped by law enforcement or immigration authorities. The recent passage of Arizona's racial profiling law, S.B. 1070, has created an environment of extreme uncertainty where police encounters and civil rights are concerned.
That's why the ACLU affiliates around the country are issuing a public "travel alert" today, advising people how to respond to traffic stops and avoid unfortunate encounters with Arizona law enforcement. Even though the law won't go into effect until the end of July, Arizona's history of racial profiling and the wild-frontier antics of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapaio give reason to believe that at least some state or local police officers will feel emboldened to act on the law before its time. The ACLU wants you to be prepared for such circumstances — especially this weekend, as the summer travel season hits its stride.
The residents of our state, New Mexico, have especially good cause to heed the travel alert's advice. Not only do we share a border with Arizona, but our population is as diverse as any state in the country. New Mexicans are as likely as anyone to be stopped in some officer's errant attempt to check immigration status.
What's more, the New Mexico driver's license doesn't qualify as adequate proof of legal residence under the Arizona law. If the law goes into effect, unless you have a passport or some other government-issued ID aside from a New Mexico driver's license, there's a good chance that unwarranted stops of New Mexicans can evolve into unwarranted arrests.
In their zeal to purge immigrant families from their state, Arizona lawmakers have forfeited liberties that are the hallmark of freedom in the rest of America. Travel to Arizona could now become like a trip to a foreign country, and the state's official motto may one day change from "God enriches" to "Show me your papers."
For those reasons, it's critical that what happens in Arizona stops in Arizona.
Jun 30th, 2010 at 7:17pm
Will the ACLU be also issuing a public travel alert for California due to California Penal Code section 834b?
Jun 30th, 2010 at 9:07pm
Nice to see that you are creating fear when there is none necessary. Get off you knees and obey the law.
Jun 30th, 2010 at 10:17pm
ACLU issues travel warnings to Arizona.
How stupid!!
Jul 1st, 2010 at 12:08am
I hate Arizona
Jul 1st, 2010 at 12:16am
From a citizen of Arizona, go to hell.
Jul 1st, 2010 at 7:29am
Where are my rights as a citizen of the USA to be protected from those whom are not here legaly?
Perhaps it is time to defund the ACLS!
Jul 1st, 2010 at 9:26am
Your corrupt organization needs to pack up and move to Mexico. Try violating their immigration laws and see how far you get.
Jul 1st, 2010 at 11:24am
Without a doubt the mos demogogic and ignorant piece I've seen in a long tome. Shame on you.
Jul 1st, 2010 at 11:30am
Boy lets hope they do some profiling- the Hispanics are about to run the Blacks and other minorities out of the state!
Jul 1st, 2010 at 1:47pm
Don't believe this drivel, read the bill.
Jul 1st, 2010 at 1:59pm
Is there a Spanish version of the bustcard?
Jul 2nd, 2010 at 11:15am
Yes! The Spanish language version of the card can be found here:
http ://www.aclu.org/files/assets/bustcard_spa_20100630.pdf
Jul 1st, 2010 at 2:41pm
VIVA ARIZONA!!!
Jul 1st, 2010 at 3:05pm
I guess the ACLU does not believe in the Constitution or in the rule of law.
Jul 1st, 2010 at 10:59pm
This kind of communication only causes more problems. It shows how out of touch the ACLU really is.
Jul 2nd, 2010 at 5:01pm
VIVS LOS 1070!!!
Jul 3rd, 2010 at 9:07am
The ACLU is only out of touch for allowing the free speech of anonymous nativist commenters here.
Jul 4th, 2010 at 4:01am
@Mike B: California Penal Code section 834b was part of Proposition 187 which never took effect as a permanent injunction was issued against it before it came in to force.
Jul 6th, 2010 at 1:43am
God bless the ACLU! I love how racist, conservative hypocrites condemn the ACLU for defending the Constitution...but they turn around and praise the NRA for defending the Constitution. LMAO!
Jul 6th, 2010 at 6:07pm
Wow, if this article isn't the highest form of stupidity I don't know what is.... real the law idiots!
Jul 7th, 2010 at 7:36pm
Where was the ACLU when the Arizona rancher was having his right to live violated?
Jul 8th, 2010 at 12:07am
Maybe the ACLU could look into the over zealous Sex Offender laws.
Jul 9th, 2010 at 1:15pm
anon #21. What makes you think illegal aliens were the cause of that rancher's death or that the Arizona law would have prevented it?
Aug 3rd, 2010 at 11:17pm
Cut off the funding for the ACLU. DO NOT DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION. This illogical non-sense has to stop.
May 2nd, 2012 at 8:59am
I was just about to say that I like this one better in color then I saw the comnemts about b w then noticed that they were from my brother then realized that he was right. Very refreshing. There isn't much like walking up this canyon, though. Lake Powell has some spectacular views whether you're looking up close or gazing over canyons and water. I'd like to see more Powell shots from your trip!
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