Thread: Suns protest Arizona law

Seems to me then all these teams need to be boycotted!!! We now know how they feel about the American People they are only a meal ticket to them...with the prices they charge let the illegals support them.






Suns protest Arizona law

The Phoenix Suns on Tuesday announced that they will be wearing an alternative jersey identifying them as "Los Suns" during Wednesday's playoff game to voice the team's disapproval for Arizona's tough new immigration law.

Robert Sarver, the team's managing partner, said in a statement that the alternative uniforms will be worn during Wednesday's home playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs in order to voice opposition to the law that Sarver said is not the "right way" to handle immigration reform. The Suns won the first game of the series Monday night.

"The frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law," Sarver said. "However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."

"Hopefully, it's all going to get worked out and the federal government will step in and there'll be a national solution. I realize that immigration is a problem and we have issues that need to be dealt with. I just don't think this bill accomplishes that," said the team executive. "I don't think it's the right way to handle the immigration problem."

Sarver was joined in his criticism of the law by Suns point guard Steve Nash, who called it "very misguided."

"I think it is unfortunately to the detriment to our society and our civil liberties and I think it is very important for us to stand up for things we believe in," the all-star point guard said. "I think the law obviously can target opportunities for racial profiling. Things we don't want to see and don't need to see in 2010."

The Suns are not the only Phoenix sports team to get pulled into the contentious debate over the new law that grants police officers the ability to request documentation proving citizenship of anyone they suspect to be illegal.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been heckled during Major League Baseball games over the law, and on Tuesday MoveOn.org called on the league to move the 2011 All-Star game out of Phoenix.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/05 ... z0n4NZM847




http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36779.html


Kathyet

There is a playoff game I won't be watching. Hope the Spurs sweep the Suns.

related


Phx Suns to Wear "Los Suns" to Make Statement
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-197678.html

Phoenix to wear Los Suns jerseys, bringing politics to court
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-197696.html

In general, people in the sports world keep their political leanings to themselves. Sure, there are a few guys who regularly speak out on political issues, but for the most part that's considered bad business. As Michael Jordan put it, "Republicans buy shoes too." That's why what the Phoenix Suns are doing is so amazing.

The team will be wearing its "Los Suns" jerseys for Wednesday night's Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs "to honor [the] Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation." Awesome.

The decision to wear the jerseys came from way up the corporate ladder, as team owner Robert Sarver suggested the team wear their Noche Latina alternates.

Sarver, who was born and raised in Tucson, said frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the illegal immigration issue led to the passage of what he called "a flawed state law."

"However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," he said, "and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."


The Suns voted on the jerseys and unanimously decided to wear them for Cinco De Mayo. As if he weren't likeable enough, Phoenix guard Steve Nash(notes) succinctly summed up the Suns' feelings on the issue.

"I think it's fantastic," Nash said after Tuesday's practice. "I think the law is very misguided. I think it's, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it's very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us."


And it's not just the Suns who are speaking out on this issue.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is on board, and the team even tried to get their "Los Spurs" jerseys, though it was too late to do so. When asked for approval to wear the jerseys, the NBA "was all for it," said Suns general manager Steve Kerr. Furthermore, NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter issued a press release, denouncing the law.

The recent passage of the new immigration law in Arizona is disappointing and disturbing. The National Basketball Players Association strongly supports the repeal or immediate modification of this legislation. Any attempt to encourage, tolerate or legalize racial profiling is offensive and incompatible with basic notions of fairness and equal protection. A law that unfairly targets one group is ultimately a threat to all.

We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers. We are consulting with our members and our player leadership to determine the most effective way for our union to continue to voice our opposition to this legislation.


It's not much, just an extra three letters on the front of a tanktop, but it means a lot more. As Kerr said, the Suns want to "make sure that people understand that we know what's going on and we don't agree with the law itself." For a sports team, that's huge.

Phoenix Suns
201 E. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona, 85004
Phone: 602-379-7900
Fax: 602-379-7990



San Antonio Spurs
One AT&T Center
San Antonio, TX
78219
(210) 444-5000

7500 posts on two ESPN threads in regard to this.