Thread: Cubs urged to move spring training camp to protest Arizona i

Cubs urged to move spring training camp to protest Arizona immigration law

By Lei Lei, Tribune reporter

6:48 PM CDT, May 14, 2010

If the Chicago Cubs head back to Arizona for spring training next year, Jane Ramsey, a lifelong Cubs fan, won't be there. She says that state's immigration law signed last month that requires police to check suspected illegal immigrants for proof of legal residency is contradictory to the baseball team's spirit and tradition.

"I will never go to Arizona if that law is in effect," said Ramsey, 59. She said to make the players and fans go to an environment "so hostile that Arizona has created" is "just terrible."

Ramsey and dozens of other fans gathered at Wrigley Field on Friday to call for the team to move its spring training camp to Florida from Arizona to protest Arizona's new law, which they say will lead to racial profiling. The gathering was organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

The fans gathered before the afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates to collect signatures on petitions and to publicize their online petition campaign at http.baseballfansforflorida(dot)com.

"Cubs fans want a winning team and winners train in Florida," said Leone Bicchieri, 46, whose mother is a Mexican immigrant. "We also want a team that shows it respects all players and fans."

The organizers of the campaign said Friday's event wasn't a protest, but a "fan-led movement."

"We're all Cubs fans here and we are just trying to get our team to make the right decision," said Stephen Smith, campaign manager of the coalition.

Organizers said there are other reasons why the Cubs should move the training camp to Florida, pointing to statistics that show 30 of the last 34 World Series champion teams trained in Florida and saying the humid conditions there would be more suitable for pitchers.

But some fans don't support the idea of moving the training camp.

"That's crazy," said Henry Graham, a Cubs fan for nearly 70 years. "I think Arizona law is very reasonable for Arizona. … The state has the perfect right to do something. I think people who want a boycott are crazy."

Immigrant rights activists also are planning a meeting on Saturday to discuss ways to support a planned protest May 29 in Arizona.

A Cubs spokesman referred requests for comment to Major League Baseball. A league spokesman could not be reached.

www.chicagotribune.com

"I will never go to Arizona if that law is in effect," said Ramsey, 59

Good. Stay out. Maybe you and your freinds will end up in one place and it sure ain't gonna be Arizona! Don't want no stinkin illegal aliens here.
All Legal Immigrants are welcomed! This isn't about race, idiot!

Right now I suppose both sides are saying "Resistance is futile" like the Borg. I'm just wondering what these "fans" will do when FL enacts a similar law.

This is National Council of La Raza behind this stuff.

http://www.nclr.org/section/boycott

If I were Arizona, I''d pull every dime of public money granted to any any NCLR affiliate and deny their 501 C 3 Status in Arizona. Every state should do this. They're violating US law with these political action committee activities because as a 501 C 3 charity they are expressly prohibited from political activity that impacts public policy, influences legislation or works to determine the outcome of US elections. They are using their organization and their network to disrupt trade and cause economic damage. I also think Janet Miguira should be prosecuted and sent to jail.

On May 6, NCLR joined with the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC), and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to announce a boycott against the state of Arizona in protest of SB 1070.

Now that we’ve made a public stand to protest this unjust law, we ask that you make a personal pledge to boycott intolerance with us.

Pledge you will boycott intolerance too!

Civil Rights and Labor Organizations Announce Boycott to Protest Arizona Immigration Law

Questions and Answers About the Boycott of Arizona

NEW! Arizona Latino and Non-Latino Voters Views on SB 1070 and Electoral Implications; Broader National Polling Shows Urgency Greater than Ever for Immigration Fix


View part 2 View part 3
View part 4

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Arizona Outrage

The rhetoric of hate groups, nativists, and vigilantes -- once limited to the fringe of American politics -- has gained a strong foothold in the public debate. Their policy positions frame the country's political discourse, and their members have penetrated the mainstream media. In short, extremists are defining the debate on immigration, and the portrayal of Hispanic Americans, at every level.

The latest example comes from the state of Arizona, whose Governor, Jan Brewer of Arizona signed a bill into law, giving local police the power to inquire about a person's immigration status if they suspect them to be an illegal immigrant, just based on "reasonable suspicion," and to make arrests if they are not carrying a valid driver's license or identity papers. This law not only preempts the federal role in immigration regulation but encourages -- in no uncertain terms -- racial profiling.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) believes strongly in the values of this nation, in pluralism, and in the ability of every American to share the rights and responsibilities of this great country. This law undermines the fairness sought through our constitution. We also believe that racial profiling has detrimental consequences for both policymaking and America's ideals, undermining the strength and integrity of our country.

NCLR is commited to protecting civil rights and integration strategies that help immigrants become fully participating and contributing Americans.
We need your help!

* Show your courage and urge your senators to stand up for immigration reform now!
* Share your Immigration Story
* Please, won't you consider making a contribution now to ensure that our vital work continues?

NCLR in the News
Janet MurguÃ*a on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports discussing the Arizona Immigration Law

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

* C-SPAN: Washington Journal: Clarissa Martinez De Castro discusses U.S. Immigration Policy
* Washington Post: Labor, civil rights groups press for national boycott of Arizona
* Arizona Republic: Labor unions, civil-rights groups boycott Arizona
* CNN: Latino rights group, others call for Arizona boycott
* The New York Times: Latino Groups Urge Boycott of Arizona Over New Law
* Los Angeles Times: Arizona's anti-illegal immigration law sparks more protests and counter-protests
* Politics Daily: Boycott Arizona: Immigration Law Foes Target Tourism, Commerce
* UPI.com: Coalition calls for boycott of Arizona
* azcentral.com: Poll: Latinos in U.S. legally say they will be targeted
* AFP: Activists launch boycott of Arizona over immigration law
* Los Angeles Times: Arizona immigration law reshaping the push for reform
* USA Today: Boycotts of Arizona immigration law add up
* The Washington Post: Protesters of Arizona's new immigration law try to focus boycotts
* The Miami Herald: Obama calls for overhaul on immigration policy
* Video: View Clarissa Martinez de Castro on PBS NewsHour
* POLITICO: Arizona law is not a solution
* NY Daily News: Arizona's immigration law must inspire President Obama on reform
* The Hill: Calls to boycott Arizona over immigration law divide Democrats
* AZ Capitol Times: Everyone wants to weigh in on Arizona’s new immigration law
* Phoenix Business Journal: State leaders weigh in on new immigration law
* The Huffington Post: We Need Progress, Not Profiling in Arizona


Wow. Look how many brainwashed people with no common sense!

Obviously we have to take them to court ourselves for violation of 501c3 regulations. We have to find attorneys willing to do this. I haven't found that section of this forum yet and I certainly do not have the resources myself.

La Raza people are really creepy. Even lots of Hispanics want to stay away from them. They always have their secret agenda and you never know if you fit with it or not. Or if you mix with non-Hispanics or are married to a non-Hispanic you know they consider you a traitor so they will be a traitor back to you. They have done some good things locally but they are so full of hate that they will not allow non-Hispanics to take advantage of the precedent set for their own good as well. So it is a different free-er legal system for Hispanics and illegals and citizens that are not Hispanic just get to suffer with the disparity in their face. Real good community relations La Raza!

On May 6, NCLR joined with the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC), and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to announce a boycott against the state of Arizona in protest of SB 1070.

Read somewhere awhile back that the open borders groups were more organized than before and now we see why. And the money behind them must be amazing. This our federal government has allowed and I'm sometimes at a loss for words. We just want them to follow the laws they have passed and look what they have created.....unbelievable!

Most laws are just ink on paper imho.

Most laws are just ink on paper imho.

If the SEIU is boycotting AZ, does that mean their members will quit their jobs there? That should open up some positions for Americans.

The protest at Wrigley Field consisted of about 6 people with signs hamming it up for the tv cameras. They got their faces on the air so I suppose they're happy. One of people protesting said that Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs starting pitcher, couldn't play in AZ because he'd be arrested for being brown. Never mind that he most certainly has a visa or whatever else he needs to be here legally, never mind that he most likely won't break any AZ laws riding on the team bus. Don't try to confuse these morons with facts.