Phoenix , Arizona ( CNN ) -- Nearly 1,000 people rallied in scorching temperatures Saturday to speak out against people giving Arizona heat for its controversial new immigration law . `` They 're attacking Arizona as a state that 's racist and Nazi , and we 're here to say that , no , we 're not . We 're for what America stands for , the melting pot , equality for all , '' said rally organizer Dan Amato , who traveled from Pennsylvania to Arizona for the event . Organizers said they wanted to change the perception that supporters of SB 1070 , and the law itself , are racist . Nearly half of the speakers at the event were of Hispanic or Mexican ancestry . The law allows police to ask for proof of legal residency when investigating a suspected crime . Critics say it will lead to racial profiling and prevent police from doing their jobs by undermining trust in the Latino community . City governments and organizations opposed to the law have targeted Arizona with protests and boycotts . Participants in Saturday 's rally said they wanted to fight back by giving the state an economic boost . And they said they want other states to follow Arizona 's lead by passing legislation to crack down on illegal immigration , claiming the federal government has refused to do the job . Protesters waved signs that read `` Do n't pander to non-citizens '' and `` Lawbreakers do n't love America . '' More than 100 motorcyclists showed their support by circling the rally on their bikes . `` It is about culture , not race , because the American culture , I feel , is under assault , because they are not embracing our culture , '' said Ruth Miller , another rally organizer . Carmen Morales , who traveled to the rally from New Jersey , stressed that not all Hispanics are against the new law . `` This is about enforcing the law , '' she said . `` It 's about securing our borders . '' Other speakers included Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce , who sponsored the law , former Republican presidential candidate and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo , and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio . `` This new law , okay , it was passed . Let 's hope it 's enforced , '' Arpaio told CNN after his speech . `` Because I 'm going to enforce it . I 'm going to arrest anybody that violates that state law and put them in my jail , not turn them over to the federal government . ''
Supporters of Arizona immigration law say they 're not racist . Rally was aimed at boosting the state 's economy , supporting law . Demonstrators say they hope other states will follow Arizona 's lead . Law allows police to ask for proof of legal residency when investigating crimes .