Protests against a police shooting of an unarmed Latino man will continue through the weekend, organizers said.
Protests will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday outside Phoenix police headquarters at 620 W. Washington St., according to coordinator and radio host Carlos Galindo.
In addition, on Monday evening there are plans to light luminarias all along the area in front of the headquarters, he said.
A first protest Thursday night following a memorial for Rodriguez drew approximately 30 people.
Galindo said he expected larger crowds through the weekend, and accused the Valley's Latino leaders of engaging in "pick-and-choose activism."
"Why aren't the usual Latino activists out there? You know if this was in Los Angeles there would be burning cars," Galindo said. "But in Arizona it's apathetic Latinos and failed leadership."
Phoenix police Officers Richard Chrisman and Sergio Virgillo responded to a domestic-violence call Tuesday, which resulted in the death of Rodriquez and a family dog.
Rodriquez's mother had placed the 911 call.
According to court records documenting an interview with Virgillo, Rodriquez was unarmed but there was a struggle. During the struggle, he said, Chrisman shot the dog; Rodriquez was shot later.
Rodriquez died at the scene.
Chrisman was arrested and faces felony charges, but his representatives, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, issued a statement in support of his actions.
Galindo said the protests represent the Latino community's desire to see Chief Jack Harris and Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley have Chrisman rearrested and charged with murder.
"We're not going to put up with the injustices and the abuse on behalf of the police," Galindo told The Republic on Friday.
Galindo said the protests would continue past Monday if necessary.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/10/09/20101009phoenix-police-shooting-protests-brk.html
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