Boycott against Arizona’s Hate-based Legislation

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 17, 1929; and

WHEREAS, LULAC throughout its history has committed itself to the principles that Latinos have equal access to opportunities in employment, education, housing and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, the LULAC District 1 Convention is a gathering of LULAC Council organizations dedicated to ensuring the well-being of Latino communities throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, in April 2010 the Arizona State Legislature passed, and Governor Jan Brewer signed into law, the infamous Senate Bill 1070, parts of which are being fought in the court of law as unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, the results of the Boycott are evidenced in the combined loss of $15 million in lodging revenue alone by the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association and a purported loss of revenue of over $140 million in other Arizona businesses directly or indirectly affected by tourism as reported by the Center for American Progress; and

WHEREAS, hate-filled legislative proposals have intensified the economic and social distress in Arizona, including the anemic funding of education, over 100,000 foreclosures, 300,000 jobs lost, and a heath care policy that leaves people literally dying as a consequence; and

WHEREAS, while Arizona is facing grave and urgent issues such as deep, mandated budget cuts to education, healthcare, and housing, the Arizona legislature continues to focus instead on hate-based campaigns meant to instill fear in the Latino and migrant communities; and

WHEREAS, this legislative session the Arizona legislature has continued to push extreme bills attacking, amongst others: the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, voting rights, education, and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, immigration-related bills pushed by the Arizona legislature do not protect Arizonans, do not improve the living conditions of Arizonans, further alienate communities, postpone the resolution of critical issues facing Arizonans, and further damage Arizona's reputation; and

WHEREAS, Arizona's leadership must recognize that divisive and hateful legislation is harmful to our State; and

WHEREAS, pervasive divisiveness, irrational politics and hate-based legislation are not good for Arizona's economy, as evidenced in the economic impact of SB 1070 and the leadership of 60 Arizona CEO's and the Chamber of Commerce who have expressed their concern to the Arizona legislature; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) State Convention in Phoenix Arizona on June 11, 2011:

1. Oppose these abhorrent actions against the Latino and migrant communities by the Arizona legislature as they do constitute a uniquely damaging environment for residents of Arizona and residents of other States attempting to follow in the hateful footsteps of the Arizona legislature.
2. Endorse an ongoing Boycott against Arizona's Hate-based Legislation and other states that may follow that path.
3. Contact English and Spanish-speaking media urging all non-profit organizations and private businesses to endorse and promote the Boycott against Arizona's Hate-based Legislation.
4. Boycott and expose those businesses that choose to contribute to legislators who craft hateful, wasteful, and hurtful legislation; and create a dialogue and bridge between stake-holding entities like the business community with the purpose of building alliances and re-directing State politics away from hate-based legislation and towards issues that improve the lives of residents of those States.

Approved this 1st day of July 2011.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President