Police in California arrest 8 activists during protest against Arizona’s immigration law

Ariz. immigrant law protesters arrested in Calif.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Eight people in California who chained themselves together to protest Arizona’s immigration law have been arrested outside Santa Ana’s federal building.

Police took them into custody Thursday after they tied up traffic and refused to leave the street.

About 60 activists called on Santa Ana to declare itself a sanctuary city for immigrants and criticized the new Arizona immigration law.

It requires police to ask people about their immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion” that they’re in the country illegally.

A police spokesman says the eight protesters will be cited and released if they cooperate with officers at the jail. The spokesman said the group did not advise officials about the protest so they couldn’t prepare for it.