Cinco de Mayo celebration

PHOENIX – For some, Cinco de Mayo meant a chance to take a bat to the likeness of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Cinco de Mayo also represented a celebration for the opening of a new youth center near 13^th Street and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. Part of the celebration was beating two Sheriff Joe Arpaio piñatas, which was a part of a fundraiser.

People bought tickets for a chance to take a swing at the sheriff. A lot of the people in attendance said they took the chance in fun because they are living in fear as the sheriff continues to launch those controversial “crime sweeps” targeting heavily-Hispanic communities around the Valley.

Other people said the piñatas allowed them to work out some aggression and they also served as a symbol that many are just fed up.

The sheriff said he did not feel threatened by the whole thing but he called it a disgrace and said those participating are setting a horrible example for their children.