On May 1, 2006, hundreds of thousands of immigrants around the country demonstrated against a restrictive immigration bill introduced in Congress. This weekend, similar demonstrations will occur around the US. I'll be attending my 20th law school reunion in Chicago this weekend and am hoping to attend that rally. I'd really rather be at the one in Phoenix and look forward to hearing reports from there.
"Boycott Arizona" is now the 47th most popular search phrase in Google and that is surely a sign that efforts to sanction the state are accelerating. That little factoid should DEEPLY worry those in Arizona who are dismissing the threat (including Governor Brewer). Every major television news network and most major newspapers had stories today on the subject. And the advent of social media sites could have a major impact. After just a few hours online, a new Boycott Arizona Facebook group had more than 10,000 fans.
Boycott calls were coming in from many fronts.
First and foremost, cities around the country are taking up resolutions to bar contracts with Arizona-based companies. Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles were some of the largest cities that began the process of considering boycotts. The President of the California Senate called on Governor Schwarzenegger to sever the state's economic ties with Arizona.
The government of Mexico posted a travel warning telling Mexican citizens not to travel in Arizona. Mexicans is the number one source of foreign tourism in the state. Mexico is also Arizona's number one trading partner - a relationship worth an estimated $8 billion a year in back and forth trade. Legislators in Mexico are debating imposing sanctions on Arizona. Mexican President Felipe Calderon warned trade and political ties would be "seriously affected."
Six conventions have now been canceled including the American Immigration Lawyers Association which was the first to announce it would scrap a major meeting, according to ABC News. Anecdotal evidence is already showing many individuals are canceling trips to Arizona. New York Times columnist Linda Greenhouse explained why should would never visit Arizona again until the law is repealed and urged everyone in the state to where buttons saying "I could be illegal."
Boycott advocates also set their sights on baseball with calls to stay away from Arizona Diamondback games, both home and away, and for Major League Baseball to move next year's All Star game from Phoenix, something the League will have to take seriously given that 27% of the players are Hispanic.
Entertainers are beginning to announce plans to skip appearances in the state. Rapper Chuck D. of Public Enemy fame called for a boycott. His famous song from 20 years ago By the Time I Get to Arizona criticized the state over its failure to recognize the Martin Luther King holiday. Canadian band Stars announced they were canceling their appearances in the state and a campaign began on the popular blog Daily Kos to pressure musicians to cancel concerts.
And in one of the most interesting boycott-related stories, Arizona convention officials are worried that the Republican National Convention, which is considering Arizona for the 2012 convention, may choose another location.
Left-wing reporter Greg Palast argues that the new Arizona law has nothing to do with stopping illegal immigration and everything to do with targeting the Hispanic US citizens in the state - nearly 30% of Arizonans - who vote overwhelmingly Democrat. Palast lays out the case that the state's GOP has been engaged in a long war on these citizens that involves uppressing their votes and driving them from the state.
So far this year we've been hearing that Democrats will lose seats left and right. But some think that Arizona Hispanics, who represent one-third of the state's voters, will severely punish the GOP. John McCain has tried to appeal to the Republican base and supported the bill and all three GOP candidates for governor, including Governor Jan Brewer, have also advocated for the new legislation. Now suddenly Democrats may be competitive in both the Senate and Governor's races this November. A new poll shows that Democratic Governor candidate Terry Goddard has picked up 26 points with Hispanics in the last few weeks largely as a result of SB1070.
Kudos to my colleague Elissa Taub who pointed out something rather interesting that none of the supporters of the Arizona law have told Arizonans. Under federal immigration law, a removal proceeding is a civil proceeding and one is not entitled to a public defender or any assistance in paying for help from an immigration lawyer.
However, the new Arizona law makes it a state crime to be illegally present in the state. What this means is that any person charged under the new law is entitled to a taxpayer funded public defender or taxpayer funded private lawyer. And we lawyers don't come cheap. So congrats Arizonans on helping transfer a huge portion of your hard earned money to my colleagues in the Land of Enchantment.
The Sojourners are condemning the new law and promising civil disobedience. Here is their leader Reverend Jim Wallace's statement:
The law signed today by Arizona Gov. Brewer is a social and racial sin,
and should be denounced as such by people of faith and conscience
across the nation. It is not just about Arizona, but about all of us,
and about what kind of country we want to be. It is not only
mean-spirited - it will be ineffective and will only serve to further
divide communities in Arizona, making everyone more fearful and less
safe. This radical new measure, which crosses many moral and legal
lines, is a clear demonstration of the fundamental mistake of
separating enforcement from comprehensive immigration reform.
Enforcement without reform of the system is merely cruel. Enforcement
without compassion is immoral. Enforcement that breaks up families is
unacceptable. This law will make it illegal to love your neighbor in
Arizona, and will force us to disobey Jesus and his gospel. We will not
comply.
