Demonstration to Overturn Arizona Apartheid: Protest the Diamondbacks, Friday, June 18, 5:30pm

Abayomi Azikiwe at Immigrant Rights Rally, Oct. 12, 2007 in Clark Park on the southwest side of Detroit. (Photo: Cheryl LaBash).
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

For Immediate Release

Media Advisory

Event: Protest Racist Anti-Immigrant Apartheid Law
Location: Commerica Park--West Entrance, Friday, June 18,5:30pm
Sponsors: MECAWI, FIST Detroit, Latinos Unidos, Solidarity & Defense
Contact: 313.671.3715 or 313.580.5474
E-mail: ac6123@wayne.edu
URL: http://www.mecawi.org

Overturn Arizona Apartheid: Jobs Not Racism; Protest Racist Anti-Immigrant Law SB 1070
on Friday, June 18 at 5:30 Outside Commerica Park at the West Entrance

On April 23rd, 2010, the governor of Arizona signed into law SB 1070, a law that legalizes racial profiling and criminalizes undocumented people as “trespassers”. The law makes it a crime to be without your passport, green card, visa, or state I.D.

Since the bill's signing, a call has emanated from concerned people in Arizona to boycott the State. Organizations are canceling planned conventions in Arizona and protests are occurring at the Arizona Diamondbacks games around the country. The Arizona Latino/a and immigrant communities have called for “a targeted boycott on corporations that have funded the campaign to further repress our community... A targeted boycott should be launched immediately to show the economic power of our community, and we can participate right in our own communities. Boycott the Arizona Diamondbacks NOW! “

Why the Diamondbacks?

The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the top contributors to the Republican Party in Arizona, which forced the passage of the racist, anti-immigrant SB 1070. Republicans voted unanimously to pass the bill.

As sports columnist Dave Zirin wrote,” If the owners of the Diamondbacks want to underwrite an ugly edge of bigotry, we should raise our collective sporting fists against them. A boycott is also an expression of solidarity with Diamondback players such as Juan Guitterez, Gerardo Parra, and Rodrigo Lopez. They shouldn't be put in a position where they're cheered on the playing field and then asked for their papers when the uniform comes off. “

Join us in protesting the racist, anti-immigrant bill, recently passed in the state of Arizona and the introduction of similar repressive legislation in Michigan.

Sponsors: Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice (MECAWI), Latinos Unidos de Michigan, Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs, Solidarity and Defense, FIST-Detroit

For more info: 313-671-3715, 313-580-5474