Senate President Russell Pearce refused Monday to promise that no one else would be permanently banned from the Senate as was an immigration rights activist last week.
"I'm a little tired of the fact we want to defend this inappropriate behavior,'' Pearce said in comments to the full Senate. He said the actions of those who were rowdy last week while watching a committee debate immigration measures on closed-circuit television would not be tolerated.
"Decorum will be maintained here, order will be maintained,'' he said. "And the protection and safety of our members is paramount.''
Pearce also said it was not his decision to ban Salvador Reza from the building, a ban that resulted in Reza's arrest Thursday on charges of trespass when he refused to leave. And he said there is no list from his office of who is not permitted in the Senate.
"I leave it up to law enforcement, intelligence information to decide that appropriately,'' Pearce said. "I certainly have empowered them to do that.''
But that claim runs counter to what DPS Sgt. Jeff Trapp, who is in charge of Senate security, wrote in his own statement recalling what happened last Tuesday.
The controversy surrounds the lengthy hearing that night when the Senate Appropriations Committee took up several measures aimed at illegal immigration. Far more showed up than the capacity of the small room in which the hearing was scheduled. So the balance -- some estimates were as high as 300 -- were sent to a larger room to watch on TV.
There were cheers and applause from the audience during some of the testimony. Such conduct is not permitted in hearing rooms where live testimony is taking place.
Trapp wrote that Pearce told him that "offenders'' of Senate rules in the overflow seating area "be identified, photographed, and that the information be posted at the Senate guard desk and that these offenders be denied further entrance into the Senate.''
Trapp's report confirms, though that Pearce, when he issued that directive Tuesday, did not know that the person who police identified as the "leader'' was Reza.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, D-Tempe, said he does believe in maintaining decorum in the Senate as well as providing security.
"But I have to disagree with the statement you put out on Friday that deemed applause in a room where no hearing was taking place as a 'dangerous situation,' '' Schapira said. "I also believe it is inappropriate, perhaps unlawful, to deny Arizona citizens access to their state capitol due to such an incident.''
The Tuesday night banning did not become public until Thursday afternoon when Reza came to the Senate for a pre-arranged meeting with Sen. Steve Gallardo.
Trapp wrote that he read Reza a statement telling Reza that "the Senate president's office has instructed me to tell you that due to disruptive and disorderly behavior you are no longer allowed inside the Arizona State Senate.'' When Reza refused to leave, he was arrested and booked on charges of trespass.
Gallardo said that was inappropriate.
"It appears the only thing he is guilty of is walking into the building to meet with his elected representative,'' he said. And as far as what happened Tuesday, "there were 200 people in that room that were clapping,'' Gallardo said, yet Reza was the only one barred.
Pearce acknowledged that others were "loud, over the top, with some drum banging and other activity.'' And he said that, when asked to stop, "they made mockery out of that.''
But the Senate president did not dispute that Reza was the only one banned, saying that police made that decision "as they have been empowered to do.''
Slabside posted at 5:40 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Thank you Russell Pearce! Please stay the course as we take Arizona then America back from the illegal infestation!
Rich posted at 5:53 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
As ol' Russell keeps proving, he's not real big on the Constitution. Now it's the first amendment he doesn't care for. Of course this is the guy who got fired because he was a little less than ethical running DMV. You elect him what do really expect?
Slabside posted at 6:20 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Rich, the police banned Reza not Pearce but you knew that. You are just the average Brewer/Pearce hater. Zzzzzzzzz
ernie13x posted at 6:22 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Why would Pearce allow something like the U.S. Constitution stand in his way at this point? Residents of Mesa's District 18, we've got to sign those petitions! Contact Arizonans for Better Government. Let's show this non-law abiding dictator the pen really is mightier than the sword!
Slabside posted at 6:47 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
The vote is mightier than an illegal pandering organization's pen. The MAJORITY of Arizonans voted for Pearce, Brewer and Arpaio. They speak for all legal residents of this fine state. If you don't like it, move to Mexifornia ad don't let a saguaro hit you in your brain on the way there.[beam]
Rich posted at 6:47 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Slab, don't really hate anybody. Brewer? She's either a drunk or in the beginning stages of alzheimer's, I rather feel sorry for her. Pearce is just a guy who has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar once, and it'll happen again. Until then he'll do as much damage as possible.
Slabside posted at 6:56 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
"She's either a drunk or in the beginning stages of alzheimer's" Rich, I stand corrected... you admire Brewer obviously LOL!
OldMan posted at 8:39 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Public dissent should be banned. If the British would of nipped it in the bud, there might still be monarchy.
(Looking for a clip art pic of my 7.65 Mauser)
Slabside posted at 9:26 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
OldMan, I don't believe public dissent should be banned but there is a place for it. You won't be tolerated yelling FIRE in a theater and these idiots are not tolerated trying to disrupt legal political procedings. Laws are mean't to be observed.
Rich posted at 10:26 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Political proceedings need, rather desperately. to be disrupted. Given the silly season laws and the total negligence in dealing with the real problems of Arizona it isn't shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater anymore, it's shouting 'fire' in a burning theater.
Masterrogue666 posted at 6:01 am on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
ernie13x wrote: "Let's show this non-law abiding dictator the pen really is mightier than the sword!" -- Ironic that such a statement is coming from someone that supports ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. In their mind, it's ok to break some laws, but not others? You sure can't call a Liberal "logical"....
Dale Whiting posted at 10:03 am on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Guys,
The issue here is Generalisimo Pearce's statement that he would not rule out anyone else being "permanently banned from the Senate as was an immigration rights activist last week."
Certainly there is a time and a place for voicing discent. And perhaps that activist was out of place in that hearing. If so, then the appropriate response would be to ban him from future hearings on that subject for a reasonable length of time. But as usual, Pearce went way too far. Some cops do go way to far. And Pearce is that sort of cop.
samkat posted at 2:26 pm on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
I see that Dale, Ernie and Rich, the ever loving liberals as usual have a one sided opinion of democracy. :-)
azconan posted at 2:47 pm on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Well Im sure glad we have this person in charge of the state of Arizona . Im hoping after he chases all the Hispanics out of the state he will go after every other minority there is too. Then he can go after the Muslims and Jews. I think I agree with Russell , ONLY white mormons should be here in Arizona. Oh and by the way. I want to thank the most powerful man in the state for ignoring the overwhleming problems that should take precedence over this issue. I mean who needs a job or an economy ? Who cares if our housing is second worse in the country and our schools are bankrupt. Who cares if unemployment is actually around 18% . He should only concern himself with his racist thoughts. I know he had his little finger shot off by a Mexican many years ago but who knew it had shot a hole in his soul then too.
Wake up idiots, this is the most RACIST pig on the planet ! He should be impeached and kicked out of our state. He is doing NOTHING to improve this state and our issues !
azconan posted at 2:49 pm on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
http://recallpearce.com/
arizonapride posted at 3:57 pm on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Thank you Senator Pearce!
Please also ban news media from showing up or reporting about Arizona legislators that beat their wives. These people just don't understand and they don't get the truth!
There's nothing wrong with busting down a front door, grabbing your wife by the neck then tossing and slapping her around in front of your kids. Kids need to be taught better, just like you taught your kids! They are now all models to society and gainfully employed. If the rest of Arizona could just learn from the examples you have set, this state would not have the troubles it has today.
Santiagojjjr posted at 5:00 pm on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Russel Pearce And His Arizona Black List! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NABPOUGwiyE
Poorman posted at 1:31 pm on Wed, Mar 2, 2011.
If a person or persons disrupt the legislature,they should be thrown out,no more no less. No matter what ethnic backround or race.
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:47 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
Dale: As always you miss the obvious. This is from the article:
'Pearce also said it was not his decision to ban Salvador Reza from the building, a ban that resulted in Reza's arrest Thursday on charges of trespass when he refused to leave. And he said there is no list from his office of who is not permitted in the Senate.
"I leave it up to law enforcement, intelligence information to decide that appropriately,'' Pearce said. "I certainly have empowered them to do that.'''
It WAS NOT Pearce's decision!!!! Opps, your hatred is showing.....