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Villaraigosa Supports City of L.A. Boycott of Arizona
Villaraigosa in 2009 (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
At a news conference held today, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa went on record in support of a boycott of Arizona by the City of Los Angeles, according to LA Now. The Mayor calls the neighboring state's new SB 1070 immigration law "unpatriotic and unconstitutional."Joining Councilmen Ed Reyes and Jose Huizar to speak on the issue, Villaraigosa expressed awareness that an economic boycott of Arizona would be difficult, since City Controller Wendy Greuel has already "identified at least $7.2 million in city contracts with firms from that state."
However, Villaraigosa believes to implement such a boycott would send a message not only to Arizona about the other states' reaction to their law, but to other states and city's to inspire them to consider similar boycotts.
Huizar acknowledged the issue of racial profiling that many believe will increase due to the new immigration law: “If you look like me, you should be concerned about traveling to the state of Arizona,” he said.
Earlier today California's US Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging a federal review of the law. The City Council will hear the boycott resolution, introduced by Reyes and fellow Councilmember and Lt. Governor-hopeful Janice Hahn, next week.
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