WASHINGTON – The National Council de la Raza along with other national civil rights and labor organizations announced a boycott against Arizona to remain in effect until the state’s “oppressive and odious” immigration law is repealed or Congress passes immigration reform.
During a press conference at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Latino advocacy organization, NCLR President Janet Murguía said the council is asking all affiliated organizations to cancel major events and conventions in the state as a show of solidarity.
“Our system is broken, but this Arizona law is not the answer,” Murguía said. “Our immigration system should reflect both our nation’s interests and values.”
Last month, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the nation’s toughest state immigration enforcement measure directing local police to enforce federal laws and to arrest anyone “reasonably suspected” of being an undocumented immigrant.
Opponents say the law is “anti-Latino” and “un-American,” claiming it will lead to the racial discrimination and profiling reminiscent of the Jim Crow era in American history.
“Indeed these practices go against all the progress that we had made as a nation to ensure equality and freedom from discrimination for all,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “The nation has come too far to overcome bigotry to tolerate blatant violations of individual rights.”
Supporters defend the measure as crucial to ensuring the security of Arizona’s border regions, which have been riddled with violence from an explosive drug war.
Both anti- and pro-immigration groups are incensed by the lack of federal leadership on the issue, which is national in scope rather than just the border region. Murguía said that, without immigration overhaul, states are free to enact other controversial measures at the expense of the vulnerable undocumented population.
