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AZ Senate Bill 1070 and Boycotts

Dear Sedona Times EditorIn view of all the present discussions – and anger – over SB 1070, I have attached a copy
of the bill as signed by Governor Brewer.  Some parts seem innocuous until one starts thinking about the implications.  In her signing of this bill, Governor Brewer talked about border safety.  Note: there is not one word in the bill about dealing with border issues and safety for those Arizonans living on the border.
 
PDF/Senate Bill 1070. –  www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf
Already this has become a national issue.  Of those taking sides, perhaps the most serious are those who are talking boycotts of Arizona products and the cancellation of intentions to hold meetings and conferences here in our state.  This is one of the areas I protested to the Governor in asking her not to sign the bill.  It is now coming true.  I understand that over 100 such meetings have now been cancelled.  This will result in an economic impact on many small people caught in the cross fire of cancellations.  But many small people will also be caught and hurt by the actions allowed by SB 1070.
To bring this more immediately home, this past week, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (which represents over 46 UCC churches in Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas) held its annual Conference at the Church of the Red Rocks here in Sedona.  This is its most important conference of the year.  In its Plenary Session this past Friday morning, the meeting was interrupted by the announcement that the Governor had just signed SB 1070.  Sad, quiet moans were evident, and all sat in shock. A moment of silent prayer was called – the moment lasted several minutes in absolute quiet. That Friday afternoon, an important announcement was made.  Next year’s Annual Meeting which had been scheduled for the Church of the Palms in Sun City, Arizona had been rescheduled for the First Congregational UCC Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It had the full concurrence and understanding of the Church of the Palms.  We did not want to chance that our Latino members from across our region would be confronted in Arizona by actions taken under the new law.  We feared racial profiling. 
 
Economically, what did that mean to northwestern Arizona?  Catered meals were provided for over 260 attendees.  Motel accommodations were arranged, a few area tours were set up.  Busses brought those who needed transportation. These kinds of expenditures are now to be denied to Sun City, not because we dislike Sun City, but because SB 1070 could put some of our members in harms way – hassles and the like.  Such changes of venues are happening, and it cannot be ignored. Let your voice be heard.
 
Signed,
Lee M. Clegg
 
Key Information:
 
          Governor Janice K. Brewer          azgov@az.gov           (602) 542-4331
          Senator Steve Pierce                  spierce@azleg.gov    (602) 926-5584
          Representative Lucy Mason         lmason@azleg.gov    (602) 926-5874
          Representative Andy Tobin          atobin@azleg.gov      (602) 926-5172

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