Sharpton calls for sheriff's resignation over racial profiling

PHOENIX, AZ -- Friday morning, the Rev. Al Sharpton broadcast his radio show from Phoenix, where he discussed the racial divide between Hispanics and Blacks. He invited Mary Rose Wilcox, Supervisor of Arizona's Maricopa County, to speak on his show.

The radio show preceded Sharpton's meeting today with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose office has been accused of civil rights violations.

Critics claim that Arpaio's deputies racially profiled people during immigration and crime sweeps in Latino areas of metropolitan Phoenix.

Arpaio defended his police officers, saying they pulled people over because deputies believed they may have committed crimes.

Both Sharpton and Wilcox called for Arpaio's resignation or removal. Sharpton is also calling on the public to videotape alleged racial profiling by the office of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

**Stay in the know with theGrio. Read latest news and features sent from theGrio right to your mailbox by signing up with your email.*