On July 14, 2010, Joey Vento hosted a fundraiser to help Arizona fight against the federal lawsuit over illegal immigration policy. The event drew supporters and protesters. Video by Michele Tranquilli/Daily News
People were wearing Arizona T-shirts, visit Arizona, and other pro-Arizona messages. The anti-Arizona crowd had the presence of at least one burqa. Numerous songs, signs, and slogans were in Spanish. Oddly enough, the local news media focused on Hispanics in their version of the event but it was a mostly Caucasian crowd against Arizona; there were hardly any Hispanics which is odd because quite a few businesses in South Philly are Spanish shops. There are quite a few Hispanics in the largely Italian South Philly area but they didn't demonstrate. There was some yelling back and forth and the counter-group tried to drown out the radio broadcast. The police kept people across the street and even though there were narrow South Philly streets people generally stayed away from one another and behind the police barricades separating the two separate crowds.
Fox 29 News version
Joey Vento interview
The Big Talker 1210 and Joey Vento's Geno's Steaks support Arizona in a "buycott broadcast."
Dom’s Stand up for Arizona Broadcast Video
Standing with Arizona – Full Show Podcasts
All funds raised support Arizonans through the Border Security and Immigration Legal Defense Fund.
Special (Broadcast) Guests:
* Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
* Arizona State Sen. Russell Pearce, author of Arizona Immigration Bill
* PA State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, sponsor of PA Immigration Bill
* Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio
* Hazelton, PA Mayor Lou Barletta
Music provided by Rivoli Review.