'N Touch News Magazine Issue #90, January 2012

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
ADL commends U.S.
Justice Department
report on civil rights
violations
PHOENIX - The Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) commended the U.S. Department of Justice
for its report detailing repeated and flagrant
civil rights violations by the Maricopa County
Sheriff ’s Office, saying the report validates concerns
of systemic deficiencies within the department
that led to ethnic profiling of Latinos and
other civil rights violations.
Miriam Weisman, ADL Arizona Regional
Board Chair, and Bill Straus, ADL Arizona Regional
Director, issued the following statement:
“We welcome the inquiry and intervention of
the U.S. Justice Department in response to concerns
of repeated and flagrant civil rights violations
by the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office.
The Justice Department’s report is a significant
official recognition of our longstanding concerns
regarding unconstitutional practices by the Sheriff
’s Office.
“Sheriff Arpaio’s leadership in Maricopa
County has clearly resulted in a systematic failure
in the exercise of responsible and accountable law
enforcement, and a breakdown in the community’s
ability to trust law enforcement. We believe
the sheriff no longer has the credibility to attain
the respect and support that such a position requires
and demands.
“We have received numerous complaints of
ethnic profiling targeting Latinos. Sheriff Arpaio
has always denied these activities, so we asked the
Justice Department to conduct a thorough external
investigation. Their report validates many of
our concerns, and those of the community.
“The Justice Department report found there
was reasonable cause to believe that a pattern
or practice of unconstitutional conduct and/or
violations of federal law occurred in several areas
related to the profiling of Latinos in Maricopa
County. It also highlighted a number of longstanding
and entrenched systemic deficiencies
that caused or contributed to patterns of unlawful
conduct, including inadequate training and
inadequate supervision of law enforcement officers.”
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in
1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting
anti-Semitism through programs and services
that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
Desperado
previews “Pariah”
PHOENIX - Preview “Pariah”, one of the
films of the Desperado LGBT Film Festival, Jan.
5 at Tempe Marketplace and Jan. 11 at the Camelview
in Scottsdale.
The Desperado Film Festival selections have
been made and can be seen desperadofilmfestival.
com.
If you’re coming in to town - organizers have a
$99 rate at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Phoenix.
You have to call Lynn Frontado at 602-212-5310
or email lynn.frontado@hilton.com. You must
mention the film festival for that rate.
Auditions for
dancers, singers,
acrobats performers
PHOENIX - ArizonaDrag.com will be premiering
its new show Eclipse which will begin
with auditions starting on Jan. 12 and will continue
through Jan. 26 when the winners will be
announced.
They are looking for dancers, vocalists, drag
performers and acrobats who would like to help
develop this new concept. Male/Female/Trans/
Drag Queens and Kings will be considered. The
winners will win a three-month booking and will
perform at Pride!
If you are interested in competing contact Edward
Castro at arizonadrag.com
3rd Annual
Her HRC Phoenix
PHOENIX - Join HRC in Phoenix for Mardi
Gras, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Arcadia Room at
LGO, 3950 E. Campbell Ave, Phoenix. Experience
the legendary New Orleans Mardi Gras and
“Her HRC” is a night celebrating women, featuring
great music, authentic food, games and prizes.
Support your community and kick off the year
with some fun.
Join thousands of women in cities across the
country for a national night of celebration!
Her HRC is a time for us to come together
as women in support of equality for the LGBT
community and have fun!
Admission is $20 and includes admission, an
annual HRC membership, one drink ticket and
appetizers!
Space is limited, arrive early - this event is expected
to reach capacity. Please contact communityevents@hrc.org
with questions.
For more information about other Her HRC,
please visit hrc.org/herhrc.
All you need is love
PHOENIX - Voices of The Desert proudly
presents “All You Need is Love” music of The
Beatles. Friday January 20, 8 p.m. and Saturday
January 21, 7 p.m. This show is filled with singing,
dancing and theatrical performances by Voices
of The Desert Chorus along with local guest
artists. A portion of the proceeds will be donated
to the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) at
the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.
You won’t want to miss this show, which will
introducing the new Artistic Director, Keith
Clark.
Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the Door. You
can purchase tickets online by visiting voicesofthedesert.org
under “tickets”.
Free Healthy
Living workshop
PRESCOTT - Did you miss the last Healthy
Living Workshop the Prescott Pride Center offered?
Well, life is full of second chances! The
Pride Center will be hosting another workshop
series in February 2012. Are you dealing with
a chronic disease or caring for someone with a
12 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com news / politics / business / opinion