Protesters rally as Joe Arpaio speaks at Republican Fundraiser in Carmel

The man nicknamed America’s toughest sheriff took the podium at a republican women’s fundraiser while protestors took to the streets.

Arpaio was invited to speak at the Monterey Peninsula Republican Women Federated event. Monterey County is nearly 60 percent Hispanic. He also spoke with reporters and addressed the loud but peaceful crowd outside.

“Any time they want to talk to me, lets do it man to man,” said former Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. “They don’t have the facts. That irritates me, because I don’t have a chance to tell the real story.”

Karen Reissman, the President of the Monterey Peninsula Republican Women Federated, said they invited Arpaio to speak about a number of topics. “Illegal immigration, his conservative viewpoints would be very interesting and information for our members – and having someone of his status.”

The rally grew to about a hundred people Thursday.

Siobhan Wolfe told KION talk of the rally started between she and a friend but it grew.

“When Joe Arpaio compared his ‘tent city’ to a concentration camp, we do not do that here,” said Apraio protester, Siobhan Wolfe.

Thursday’s crowd became a rallying cry against controversies in Arpaio’s past. Those include a conviction for ignoring a judge’s demand he stop detaining people believed to be undocumented immigrants. Opponents call Arpaio’s actions-racial profiling.

Margaret Serna Bonetti said, “The way he’s gone against everything that is humane and decent.” “Why did they bring him here? Why did they bring him to this community where there are so many farm workers?”

Angie Morfin is an angel mother from Salinas. She said her son, Ruben, was killed by an undocumented immigrant. She supports Arpaio’s tough tactics.

“He loved his country. To protect it and protect us. I love Joe Arpaio,” said Morfin.

Though his conviction is still divisive.

“And the government said I can do that. It was a hit piece. They wanted me out of office. Obama got what he wanted,” said Arpaio.

Back in August President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio on those criminal contempt charges.