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by Salvador Reza (Author)
A living testimony of community resistance and resilience rooted in centuries of memory, Macehualli Day Laborers: Spiritual Roots of Our Struggle Against Sheriff Arpaio stands as a timely and deeply reflective chronicle of one of the most significant immigrant rights battles in recent U.S. history. With the steady, seasoned voice of Salvador Reza-veteran organizer and iconic figure of the movement-the book uncovers the spiritual and cultural foundations that fueled the resistance of Phoenix day laborers against the policies of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio during the era of the 287(g) program, when local police were granted federal immigration enforcement powers.
Interweaving personal memories, the history of social movements, and Indigenous worldviews, Reza's narrative challenges the dominant immigration discourse. He presents this struggle not as an isolated episode of civil rights activism but as the continuation of more than five centuries of resistance to colonization. He draws a clear line from the arrival of European conquerors in 1492 to the racial profiling and immigration raids of contemporary Arizona, invoking the unyielding spirit of Abya Yala. From the first human chains that shielded the community to the sacred ceremonies that gave strength and meaning to the cause, Reza shows how organizing around ancestral principles became both shield and emblem of dignity in the face of persecution. More than a chronicle of protest, this is a profound meditation on survival, sovereignty, and the sacred.
This English-language edition places in readers' hands the direct testimony of one of the most visible and influential leaders of Arizona's immigrant rights movement. It provides a historical and spiritual framework linking today's struggles with those of the past-stretching back to pre-Columbian times and rooted in enduring worldviews. It is an essential work for anyone interested in Latino studies, Indigenous activism, U.S. immigration policy, and the theory and practice of grassroots organizing.
