Arizona Boycott Costs $140M and is a Warning to Other States
Civil rights leaders continue to support a boycott of the state of Arizona after aggressive legislation designed to send an anti-immigrant message was signed into law. The boycott has already cost $140 million and shattered lives.
The boycott was in response to SB 1070 which requires police to detain any person suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Since the law cannot say who fits the profile of an undocumented person, the burden fell on the backs of Latinos.
While parts of the law were stricken down as "unconstitutional”, other portions remain in full effect, namely portions attacking day laborers. Sections are being litigated now, and will go into effect if the lawsuit, which is costing Arizona millions, is won. Latino activists say it does not matter what part of the law remains in effect. The law is based in hate and in an attempt to put down Hispanics. Until the entire law is repealed, the boycott should continue!
Meanwhile, state Sen. Russell Pearce (Rep.) is moving ahead with more anti-Latino legislation. He wants to strip citizenship from children of undocumented workers born in the U.S. In addition, measures attacking little kids in Arizona grade schools, junior high school and high schools will require teachers to identify –call out- children of undocumented workers. Those schools may receive less funding and the children may be deported. It is a tacit signal for school administration to give Mexican children a cold shoulder, a message which educators resent.
At the same time, Sheriff Joe Arpaio is recruiting Hollywood personalities, including Steven Segal, along with actors Lou Ferrigno who played the Incredible Hulk, and Peter Lupus, who is best known as one of the first Hollywood actors to pose nude for Playgirl magazine, in order to attract armed "citizen" posse members. The posse will be responsible for ferreting out undocumented workers mixed within the population, just as Nazi spies were recruited to ferret out Jews in various European countries.
Those who support the boycott advance two messages: First, when discriminatory laws are passed hate costs. Arizona has paid a horrible economic price under leadership which continues to divide the Grand Canyon state.
The second message? As other states contemplate passing similar anti-immigrant legislation, restrict driver’s licenses, pass laws restricting government services and access to education, best take a look at Arizona. Hate costs wherever it rears its ugly head.
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati