It's Time to Boycott Arizona

[apretty]

from the phoenix new times (the only local paper that's worth a read...)

Is Governor Jan Brewer ready to become the most hated woman in Arizona by signing SB 1070?

That's the query I directed toward Brewer as she stalked out of the Chicanos Por La Causa 41st Anniversary Dinner, the cries of "Veto the bill" echoing behind her. Brewer maintained the silence of a human artichoke with legs. (*no offense to human artichokes.*)

(read more here) http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bas...t_of_chica.php


from arizona immigration bill: "brewer speaks at Chicano event on Thursday" (4.22.10) as reported on, soychicano.com

A coincidence of timing turned an annual fundraiser dinner into a national political firestorm over illegal immigration Thursday night.

Long before the controversial illegal immigration measure Senate Bill 1070 was sent to Gov. Jan Brewer for consideration, she had agreed to speak at the 41st annual Chicanos Por La Causa anniversary dinner. She kept her commitment – despite the dozens of bill protesters that chanted and marched outside the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

Brewer has until Saturday night to decide whether she'll sign the bill, veto it or do nothing and allow it to become law.

If SB 1070 becomes law, it would make it a state crime to be in the United States illegally and would require anyone whom police suspect of being in the country illegally to produce "an alien registration document," such as a green card, or other proof of citizenship such as a passport or Arizona driver's license.

Chicanos Por La Causa earlier this week sent a letter to Brewer stating that the bill would "open the door for racial profiling, create a hostile environment for Latinos regardless of their immigration status and force entire communities to live in perpetual fear of harassment."

At the dinner, organization board chairwoman Erica Gonzalez-Melendez urged Brewer to veto "the most hateful piece of legislation directed at Latinos."

"This law would further open the door to racial profiling of all Latinos," Gonzalez-Melendez said. "This law does not address the root causes of our broken immigration system. It only panders to the racist fear mongers of our state." Brewer spoke next, saying that she has heard the concerns about immigration reform.

"I am not prepared to announce a decision on Senate Bill 1070," she said. "What I decide will be based on what's right for Arizona."

As she stepped off the stage, some audience members chanted "veto, veto" while others tried to shush them. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon also spoke to the dinner attendees, offering harsh words to Brewer and asking her to veto the bill.

"I understand you're plight. It's an election year. You're facing a tough Republican primary and you love your job," he said. "I ask you to love your state even more."

He asked her not to follow the route of former Arizona Gov. Evan Meacham and former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who were criticized for racial insensitivity. He said the bill humiliates Arizona in the eyes of America and threatens the state's economic recovery.

Dozens of protesters not connected to the group gathered for a rally outside the hotel.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles organized a caravan of buses and vehicles that drove from L.A. to Phoenix on Thursday. Their group of about 50 is was among those at the hotel rally.

Jorge-Mario Cabrera, spokesman for the coalition, said they came to Arizona to show their support for Arizonans opposing SB 1070.

"Arizonans are definitely fed up with the problem of illegal immigration," Cabrera said. "Unfortunately Arizona, and particularly the Republican party, has chosen to go to the extremes in order to find a solution."

Veronica Iordanova, 25, of Phoenix, said she felt like she had to come down to the hotel and show her concern over SB1070."I see the irony in Brewer speaking to Chicanos Por La Causa when she still hasn't vetoed the bill," Iordanova said. She said she is concerned that the bill would result in racial profiling. "I also don't think we should be forcing police to focus on immigration when they should be focused on other things, like crime," she said. "And if there are civil rights challenges and the city is sued, that would be horrible economically for us."

Leonardo Mada, 14, of Phoenix, had spent the day protesting at the capitol before moving down to the Sheraton. He said he was also worried about what the bill would do.

"They told me that if police see someone with a dark skin color they are going to ask for their information, even if they are not doing anything wrong," he said. "That's racist."