Groups gear up to resist as SB 1070 becomes law

Organizations from Arizona’s three major population centers — Tucson, Flagstaff and Phoenix — met on July 17 to prepare coordinated activities for July 29, the date of SB 1070’s implementation. SB 1070 is a racist, anti-immigrant state law that is opposed by immigrant rights advocates, progressives and justice-loving people in Arizona and around the country.

Representatives of the July 29th Action Committee of Phoenix, the Tucson Ya Basta! Campaign and Flagstaff’s REPEAL Coalition were among the two dozen organizations that agreed to make July 29 a day of “No Work, No Buy, Do Not Comply.” Coordinated press conferences are planned in each city on July 20 to announce the protests.

Actions targeting SB 1070 have been taking place throughout the state. Tucson’s weekly “Resist SB 1070” demonstration continues to grow in size, bringing hundreds into the streets on Friday afternoons. Activists are planning to shut down downtown on July 29.

The Boycott Arizona! Campaign has had a definite impact. Alfredo Gutierrez, coordinator of the Arizona Boycott Clearing House, reported that for the city of Phoenix alone, the cancellation of conventions has resulted in 150,000 room cancellations and an estimated $94 million in lost revenue. (boycottarizona1070.com)

The targeting of the Diamondbacks professional baseball team has also been successful, with the team facing anti-SB 1070 demonstrators wherever they travel. The team will face major protests when they play at home in Phoenix on July 24, in Philadelphia on July 29 and in New York City on July 30 when they play at Citi Field.

Along with this campaign, there has been growing pressure on Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball, to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona, where it is presently scheduled to be held.

The struggle to repeal SB 1070 and turn back the racist forces that created it and support it continues to grow. A real people’s resistance can overturn SB 1070 and stop the racist campaign of border militarization and all anti-immigrant, anti-worker attacks.