Conscious Change Conscious Leadership

Speaking to a group of individuals gathered for Conscious Change * Conscious Leadership Annie Loyd spoke about the importance of us all standing for what we believe in. "Let us have the public debate about immigration, the military occupation in Iraq, health care, education, energy and the environment, "Annie Loyd

Annie provided vivid details of the events from earlier in the late afternoon when she stood with other community leaders to denounce the actions of the MCSO under the direction of Sheriff Arpaio.

"He says he is not accountable to anyone - I beg to differ with him. He is accountable - he is accountable to us the taxpayers and voting citizens of Maricopa County. I urge all of us that believe in treating all people equal and fairly, regardless of the color of their skin or the language they speak, to stand with me today and denounce the actions of "neighborhood sweeps," stated Annie.

Annie answered the questions of why she is running as an independent,

"the inaction by our elected representatives is a perfect example of why I am an independent, I have the opportunity to be guided by my personal integrity and do the right thing. I am not beholden to any political party agenda and do not have to be concerned about what the political party consultants believe to be a "good thing" to getting elected. The time has come and gone - the need for strong leaders to stand fearlessly and call out for the actions of this vigilante Sheriff to stop is now."

Encouraging all gathered to become civically engaged Annie recalled -

The Hopi 11th hour prayer states, "you are the leaders you've been waiting for," the responsibility to turn the corner is ours to take. I will continue to speak out and speak for human dignity, personal responsibility and peace and justice."

A Call for Law and Order

Annie Loyd, independent candidate for US Congress District 3 participated in the community leader press conference denouncing the "neighborhood sweeps" being conducted by MCSO Sheriff Arpaio on March 21st, 2008.

"Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced through a press release his intentions to conduct a neighborhood sweep in the area of 32nd St and Thomas in Phoenix, Arizona.

It is important for all citizens in Arizona to understand that the actions taken by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) under the direction of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio are in violation of the 287g agreement with ICE authorizing the MCSO to go after known criminals.

The fact that an individual is in the United States without proper documentation is not a criminal act. It is unconstitutional to use racial profiling and conduct these "neighborhood sweeps." These actions place our neighborhoods that have worked diligently and in the spirit of cooperation with local law enforcement to decrease dangerous criminal activity at risk of individuals witnessing a crime being less likely to come forward and assist local law enforcement.

We have substantial evidence throughout history to know that this behavior is unacceptable in a civilized society. It is imperative that our local, state and federal elected representatives act immediately to put an end to the racially profiling and tactics of intimidation being conducted under the misguided leadership of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

In previous "round-ups" the MCSO has arrested and detained citizens of the United States and several lawsuits regarding civil and human rights violations are not pending.

I urge our elected representatives, community and faith leaders to take a strong stand and denounce these actions immediately. We must restore the rights of individuals and uphold our constitution." - Annie Loyd

After being encouraged by the MCSO Sheriff Arpaio at a meeting on Thursday March 20, 2008 to come out and "support" the unconstitutional actions of Sheriff Arpaio, members of United for a Sovereign America came out to demonstrate at the press conference. Some members of United for a Sovereign America have been exposed as nativist and active members of known "hate groups" by the Southern Poverty Law Center in the recent issue of its Intelligence Report magazine.






During the press conference, by community leaders, several individuals associating with this group, United for a Sovereign America, loudly revved their motorcycles and drove through the crowd gathered for the community leader press conference.

"It seems obvious to me that Sheriff Arpaio is working to incite a violent incident in our community, this is unacceptable behavior by a law enforcement official," Annie Loyd

More photos.

Fewer Voters Identify as Republicans

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

March 20, 2008. . . the proportion of voters who identify with the Democratic Party outright has not increased in recent years. Currently, 36% say they think of themselves as a Democrat, virtually unchanged from 2004 (35%) and 2000 (35%). Instead, as the proportion of self-identified Republicans has decreased, the percentage of independents has grown substantially, from 32% in 2004 to 37% today. Read the entire story.