Thread: Bloomington Chamber Fights Boycott

Bloomington, Ind. -- The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce issued a statement today, urging the Mayor, City Clerk, and members of the City Council to rescind the City of Bloomingtons boycott of Arizona businesses.

To date, The Chamber has been contacted by more than 40 individuals, most of whom have expressed their intent to discontinue support for business and tourism in the Bloomington area, said Christy Gillenwater, Chamber president and CEO. Moreover, several of our members are receiving similar calls that customers will boycott their business until the city removes its boycott on Arizona. The action taken by city officials has become damaging to local businesses.

The Citys boycott stems from controversial legislation passed by the Arizona state legislature regarding immigration. To be clear, The Chamber has no position on Arizona's legislation nor do we intend to engage in discussion regarding the Arizona immigration bill, explained Gillenwater. Our concern is about our local elected officials calling for an economic boycott of another state and the price being paid here at home in Bloomington.

Gillenwater stated, The Chamber is committed to serve and protect businesses in our community. We believe that action was necessary to advocate for our members and to hold our local officials accountable for acting in the best interest of the local community.

Statement:
The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce urges City officials to recognize that the actions they engage in have the ability to impact residents, businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and institutions, and the community as a whole, and must be made in the best interest and in consideration of the various constituencies they are elected to represent.

The decision made by the Mayor, City Clerk, and signatory members of the Bloomington City Council to call for an economic boycott of Arizona has led to threats to boycott Bloomington businesses. To prevent this action from being economically damaging to the local business community, the Chamber urges that the boycott of Arizona be rescinded.

Furthermore, the Chamber encourages residents and visitors to continue their support of Bloomingtons vibrant business community, understanding that The Chamber, its Board of Directors and collective membership had no role in the Citys decision to boycott businesses in the state of Arizona.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=42119

Need to make phone calls to these people as well.....add our opinion

Makes a person wonder how many other city councils and Chambers of Commerce have received emails, phone calls and letters from people who feel city and state officials outside of Arizona have no business proclaiming a boycott.

In fact, I'm surprised the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hasn't called on it's members across the nation to "cease and desist" with the boycott announcements.

It's does my heart good to see the Chamber switch like this, normally they are totally open border.

Apparently enough Americans are now awake to put the hurt on them. Makes me think we would have similar success boycotting the top five corporate LaRaza sponsors.

now this is not the US chamber of commerce who supports amnesty for illegal aliens.