Thread: Boulder council to consider resolution denouncing Arizona im

Boulder council to consider resolution denouncing Arizona immigration law
Recommendations include continued ban on official travel to state
By Heath Urie Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 07/02/2010 09:40:26 PM MDT



At least 16 cities and organizations across the country have taken some action to oppose or protest Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants. Here's a look at some of them.

Boulder -- The city manager on May 5 imposed a ban on non-essential business travel to Arizona. The council will consider a resolution denouncing the state's law.

Boston -- Approved a resolution calling for the city to pull investments from Arizona.

Denver -- Approved a proclamation urging swift federal action on immigration reform.

Los Angeles -- Approved a resolution boycotting Arizona-based businesses.

San Diego -- Called for Arizona to repeal its immigration law.

Seattle -- Approved a resolution calling for comprehensive immigration reform.

El Paso, Texas -- Approved a resolution denouncing Arizona's law and boycotting the state.

U.S. Conference of Mayors -- Approved resolutions condemning Arizona's law and calling for an overhaul of national immigration laws.

Source: City of Boulder

Saying that Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigration threatens "basic notions of decency, justice and fairness," Boulder's Human Relations Commission plans to ask the City Council on Tuesday to support a resolution that denounces such policies and supports a continued ban on official travel to the state.

City leaders asked the commission -- which is charged with offering recommendations to the council on matters of civil rights, human relations and social policy -- to consider ways that Boulder could respond to Arizona's recently approved immigration law.

The law, one of the toughest in the country, gives police broad powers to check the paperwork of anyone they suspect is in the country illegally.

Critics of the law say it will lead to racial profiling of the state's largely Hispanic immigrant population, while advocates say it's necessary because the federal government has failed to stop the influx of illegal immigrants to the United States.

The commission's report to the council, made public Friday, includes a proposed resolution that would be sent to Colorado's congressional delegation and would help guide the city's national lobbying efforts.

The resolution states that Boulder is "committed to the protection of civil rights for all people" and to the "opposition to any acts of racism, bigotry, harassment and discrimination."

It goes on to say that the city "firmly adheres to the principle that no law enforcement agency or other city agency may profile or discriminate against any person.

"While all local and state governments have the right and obligation to provide for the welfare and security of their residents, the enactment of laws of the type enacted by Arizona create the possibility of institutionalizing a practice of racial and ethnic profiling."

The resolution concludes that Arizona's controversial law points to the need for comprehensive immigration reform, "which can only be achieved by a partnership between state and federal governments."

The commission approved the language in a 3-1 vote in May. Commissioner John Paul Harris was the dissenting vote, saying the proposal did not go far enough. Harris has said that he supports a full boycott of Arizona.

How, exactly, Boulder would respond to Arizona's law has been the subject of national interest since May 5, when City Manager Jane Brautigam imposed a ban on non-essential official employee travel to the state in protest of the new law.

The City Council backed her decision and, on Tuesday, will discuss whether the proposed resolution is strong enough.

Mayor Susan Osborne -- who said she's received more than 2,000 mostly angry e-mails from people around the country who oppose Boulder's travel restrictions -- said the council would probably ask the commission to further study what position the city should take on national immigration reform before approving anything.

"I think we're going to ask the Human Relations Commission to be more specific," she said.

She said that she's "looking forward to the conversation."

Boulder VOICE -- Voices of Immigrant Children for Education -- first asked the council to take action against Arizona earlier this year.

Erika Blum, a volunteer advocate for the group, said the proposed resolution is a good step but agreed that the city needs a better definition of what national immigration reform should look like first.

"I think that's just really, really important," she said.

But some critics of the law say the city should take a stronger stand.

Neil Fishman, a 54-year-old Boulder resident, said a general boycott of Arizona would "send a strong message" that potentially discriminatory laws aren't OK.

"A complete ban is more consistent with where Boulder is, in terms of our values," he said.

Councilman Matt Appelbaum said he agrees with the commission's initial proposal. He said that, despite the often-vitriolic comments he's received about the issue, Boulder should have a voice on the matter.

"The issues really do fall on the cities, to a large extent," he said. "The immigration system we have -- and the fact that it doesn't work -- that causes problems in the cities because that's where these people live."

Since early May, the city has received more than 500 letters about Arizona's law and Boulder's response. According to a city tally, 498 opposed Boulder's travel restrictions and 81 supported them.

Many people threatened to cancel trips to Boulder in protest or take their businesses elsewhere.

"I don't believe any of them," Appelbaum said. "They won't be able to go to about half of the United States," because so many other cities have passed similar restrictions or resolutions.

At least 16 other cities and organizations across the country have taken some action to oppose Arizona's immigration law.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_15432380

In their resolutions, these cities should include an offer to take a percentage of AZ illegals, including rapists, murders, gang members and drug cartel members. If they feel so strongly about it, then they should become part of the solution rather than just complaining.

Boulder is filled with hippies.

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

In their resolutions, these cities should include an offer to take a percentage of AZ illegals, including rapists, murders, gang members and drug cartel members. If they feel so strongly about it, then they should become part of the solution rather than just complaining.

I wonder what it would cost to run an ad in Arizona Spanish newspapers saying:
Boulder, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, etc welcomes all immigrants, regardless of documentation?