For the backstory, see "Lawrence Downes/New York Times misleads & smears, and all to support illegal activity".

In recent news, a pro-illegal immigration protester was arrested after allegedly pushing Michelle Dallacroce from Mothers Against Illegal Aliens at yesterday's weekly protest in front of the store.

And, the owner of the store has sent a letter to Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon (letter here). It includes, among other things, the following:

* We have reason to be concerned that citizen taxpayer dollars committed to subsidize [Salvador Reza]'s various operations and activities may have been used to fund his protest activities outside Pruitt's...

* Reza and his affiliated "community activists" must immediately cease the smear campaign of false, misleading and reckless language against Pruitt's Furniture and the Sensing Family. Hate speech and incitement are unacceptable.

* ...your policies, decisions and actions have established a de facto day labor center in the area of [the corner with the furniture store]

That's certainly odd: Lawrence Downes' report only mentioned "hate speech" originating from one side, and didn't follow the money trail to see whether Reza is publicly funded and whether he's used part of that to sponsor the protests. In fact, Downes' report completely took his side of the matter. How odd.