#WeekInJustice: Week 236
Amid local rumors of various kinds of federal law enforcement efforts in Pima County, and as the nation anxiously watches ICE sweeps in U.S. cities, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover went on local radio today to encourage restraint and safety.
As a guest on KVOI Radio host Bill Buckmaster’s Friday broadcast, Laura further reinforced her message to avoid assumptions that ICE sweeps have arrived in Pima County and to be cautious in interactions with federal agents.
Pointing out that not all federal law enforcement activity involves ICE officers, local residents should be careful not to impede lawful operations being carried out with judicial warrants.
Peacefully protesting what is happening and taking video or photos from a safe distance can provide evidence for local law enforcement and, if necessary, prosecution of any unlawful behavior that might occur, she said.
“The concerns about what we are seeing on our TV, on our phones, in other cities is completely righteous,” Laura said. “I respect the level of stress and anxiety and fear that’s going on. But we must meet that by being cool, calm, and collected about it.”
“I assure you that if you accidentally run into an undercover drug and gun bust, you ain’t going to want no part of that,” Laura said.
Attempting to “turn down the temperature” while speaking to a live audience, Laura reiterated her advice to “not fight fire with more fire, but with water.”
“I’m literally just trying to keep everyone alive,” Laura said. “It’s heavy, and I’m sorry it’s so heavy, but that’s my goal.”
PCAO Communications Team
Link to the episode: https://youtu.be/aigD8uzOe7Q
