The Pima County Tea Party Patriots group is planning a “Dump Dupnik” rally Jan. 28 in front of the Sheriff’s office.
The rally comes after Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik became a lightning rod for controversy because of comments he made during a news conference about the Jan. 8 shootings in Tucson. Six people were killed during the attack and 13 others wounded, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Dupnik linked the shootings with vitriol in politics and said Arizona had “become the mecca of prejudice and bigotry.”
Pima County Tea Party Patriots say they plan to “indict” Dupnik for politicizing the shootings, blaming free speech for the crime without evidence, failing to protect Giffords, failing to recuse himself from the investigation, and embarrassing the community in front of the nation. They plan to hold the rally from 3:30 p.m. at the Sheriff’s office, 1750 E. Benson Highway.
The group is separate from the Tucson Tea Party. The Pima County Tea Party Patriots formed last summer and held their first rally in July on Arizona’s controversial immigration enforcement law, SB 1070.
Dupnik’s recent comments have prompted a national debate about political discourse, and brought out Dupnik supporters and opponents. Dupnik has not responded to interview requests from the Star this week.
His remarks have also prompted a Salt Lake resident to try to recall Dupnik.
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