MIRA Civic Engagement Day | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

MIRA Civic Engagement Day

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Protesters marched to the Capitol this morning to draw attention to various causes as the 2012 legislative session kicks off.

The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance plans to walk to the Capitol today to protest a series of bills targeted at undocumented immigrants.

A statement from MIRA says that if all the bills are enacted, they would "amount to an Arizona clone."

One bill in the House is similar to an Alabama law enacted last year, the statement says, which caused many Latinos to leave the state. MIRA says undocumented immigrants in Mississippi contributed about $52.4 million in state and local taxes in 2010.

Supporters will meet at the MIRA office (612 N. State St.) at 10 a.m. and will walk to the Capitol after lunch, at about 12:30 p.m.

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