Hundreds protest Arizona immigration law in Salem

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Several hundred people rallied at the Capitol Mall in Salem Saturday to protest Arizona’s strict new immigration law.

The Statesman Journal reports that the rally was in conjunction with other rallies around the country.

The rally was organized by local immigration advocacy groups, including the “CAUSA” coalition.

CAUSA Director Francisco Lopez says the rally was also meant to push for an overhaul of immigration law.

The Arizona law requires authorities to question people about immigration status if there’s reason to suspect they’re in the country illegally.

Civil rights advocates have said the law is unconstitutional and encourages racial profiling and discrimination against immigrants or anyone thought to be an immigrant.

But Arizona lawmakers said the law was necessary because of the federal government’s failure to secure the border and growing anxiety over crime related to illegal immigration

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com