Valley Activist’s Arrest Spurs Backlash Amidst Immigration Documentation Efforts
In a turn of events that has sparked controversy, the Mesa Police Department detained a prominent activist and union organizer, Martin Hernandez, on Tuesday morning. Hernandez, who was actively documenting federal immigration enforcement actions, was taken into custody, drawing criticism from both local protesters and state officials.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), where Hernandez serves as the Organizing Director for Local 99, expressed their concern in a statement: “Earlier today, we learned that UFCW Local 99 Organizing Director, Martin Hernandez, was detained in Mesa while peacefully documenting immigration enforcement activity.”
Hernandez has been a longstanding advocate for immigrant rights, with a history of activism against former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Following his release, Hernandez voiced his disapproval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities and the cooperation by local police departments: “It’s still heartbreaking to see ICE continue separating our families, our community members and that police departments like Mesa (cooperate) with them. That’s shameful — doing high-fives while people are suffering,” he stated.
The arrest galvanized local activists and political figures to gather at the police station in search of further details. Among them were state officials such as Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Phoenix) and Rep. Lorena Austin (D-Mesa), who expressed concerns over the incident. Austin remarked, “I don’t know the full details entirely of this incident, but I think what it really highlights is that ICE is continuing to terrorize our communities. It’s happening in Mesa, it’s happening in my district, and people have the constitutional right to film. They have the constitutional right to observe law enforcement. And I want people to know that that is still true.”
Mesa police reported that Hernandez was encountered after a call from a “concerned citizen” who alleged a man was evading law enforcement and hiding in a business. While Hernandez is a U.S. citizen, it remains unclear which agency was pursuing him at the time.
Police claims indicate that Hernandez was arrested for refusing to leave private property after being asked to do so, resulting in a trespassing charge. “Martin later confirmed he had no lawful business at the location. He was transported to the Mesa police holding facility, where he was photographed and fingerprinted,” the police statement said.
Hernandez, however, suggested that his arrest was a result of his efforts to monitor law enforcement activities: “This morning I saw how they were taking this young lady from this apartment complex … It was frustrating that these guys, they took immediate action to take me away from the area, because they knew what I was doing,” he explained.
Attorney General Kris Mayes was reportedly involved, with her spokesman Richie Taylor confirming that she believes Hernandez was wrongfully detained and was relieved at his release.
Attorney Martín Quezada, also a former state legislator, revealed that Hernandez faced a third-degree trespassing charge, a misdemeanor. Initially, there were plans to transfer Hernandez to a facility operated by CoreCivic in Florence, a contractor used by Mesa since 2017 to house low-level offenders.
Supporters of Hernandez accused the police of targeting him for his legal observations, pointing out that individuals accused of trespassing are generally cited and released. Eventually, Hernandez was cited for trespassing and released later in the afternoon, according to the police department.
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