![\"arpaio](\"http:\/\/blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com\/bastard\/human222.jpg\")
Ahead of a planned mass march against him this weekend, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio is currently facing a grand jury investigation into alleged abuses of power. Though the lawman from Maricopa County has gained notoriety for his immigration sweeps in Latino neighborhoods, the focus of the grand jury\u2019s probe is broad in trying to identify a pattern of abuses and misuses of federal funds. Although it is unclear whether or not Arpaio, who likes to fashion himself as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Toughest Sheriff,\u201d would face charges or be removed from his position as a result of the investigation, immigrant rights activists in the state welcome the action as part of a collective whole. On Saturday, those primarily concerned with Arpaio\u2019s treatment of immigrants will be descending upon Phoenix from across the nation for a march and rally expected to draw tens of thousands. Organizers of the \u201cArpaio\u2019s America is Not Our America\u201d National Day of Action will call on the Obama administration to terminate their 287(g) agreement with the Maricopa Sheriff\u2019s Department\u2019s jails and demand the passage of just and comprehensive immigration reform. Participants will march along the route to the Tent City outdoor detention facility overseen by Arpaio\u2019s office. Speakers at the rally will include singer Linda Ronstadt, labor organizer Dolores Huerta and Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine. <\/p>\n
GUESTS: Pablo Alvarado, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Jose Calderon, Professor of Sociology and Chicano Studies at Pitzer College, President of the Latino\/Latina Roundtable<\/em><\/p>\n