Activist claimed Pearce unfairly banned him from Senate
PHOENIX (AP) – A federal judge has dismissed an immigration activist's lawsuit accusing former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce of illegally barring him from the Senate buildings.
U.S. District Judge Frederick Martone's ruling said activist Salvador Reza was properly barred from the Senate buildings by Pearce after security officials identified him as a person who was disruptive at a hearing.
Martone's ruling says Reza produced no evidence to back up his allegation Pearce barred him because he is Mexican-American and because of his political views. And Martone wrote that Pearce's actions were reasonable given his role in maintaining decorum in the Senate.
Reza was among several vocal protesters attending a Feb. 22, 2011 Senate hearing on immigration bills. The next day, police arrested Reza on suspicion of trespassing when he tried to enter the Senate building but he was never formally charged.
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