10 PM:The executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association condemned Arizona’s controversial new immigration law this afternoon, hours after two San Francisco city officials called for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game to be moved from Phoenix.
Players association Executive Director Michael Weiner said the group hoped the law, which requires local law enforcement to check the legal status of those they suspect may be illegal immigrants, would be modified or repealed promptly.
Earlier today, City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Supervisor David Campos sent a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig asking him to move the game from the Arizona unless the “draconian new anti-immigration law” is repealed.
The law was signed last Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Of particular concern to Herrera and Campos are provisions in the law that require local police to detain and question individuals they have “reasonable suspicion” are in the country illegally, and that make it a state crime for legal immigrants to not always carry documented proof of legal presence in the country with them.
Civil rights advocates have assailed the law, saying it will lead to racial profiling against Hispanics, regardless of citizenship.
“Arizona’s new law may purport to target illegal immigration, but the reality for millions of Americans is far more chilling,” Herrera and Campos wrote. “The law, in fact, targets all Latinos and others who may appear ‘foreign.'”
“It is a profoundly unjust and dangerous law that threatens the rights of millions of Americans–including large numbers of Major League Baseball players and their fans–to be secure in their person, and to lawfully enjoy their civil liberties,” they wrote.
The letter was forwarded to the Major League Baseball Players Association in addition to Selig.
Weiner’s statement from the players association said, “recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States.”
“If the current law goes into effect, the (Major League Baseball Players Association) will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.”
On Monday, Herrera and Campos called for a citywide boycott of the state of Arizona and businesses based there.
Mayor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday ordered a moratorium on city employee travel to the state for official business, with exceptions for law enforcement, public health or safety.
A spokesman for Major League Baseball was not immediately available for comment.
10:20 AM: Two San Francisco city officials called today for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game to be moved from Phoenix in protest of Arizona’s new law that requires local law enforcement to check the legal status of those they suspect may be illegal immigrants.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Supervisor David Campos sent a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig today asking him to move the game from the state unless the “draconian new anti-immigration law” is repealed.
The law was signed last Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Of particular concern to Herrera and Campos are provisions in the law that require local police to detain and question individuals they have “reasonable suspicion” are in the country illegally, and that make it a state crime for legal immigrants to not always carry documented proof of legal presence in the country with them.
Civil rights advocates have assailed the law, saying it will lead to racial profiling against Hispanics, regardless of citizenship.
“Arizona’s new law may purport to target illegal immigration, but the reality for millions of Americans is far more chilling,” Herrera and Campos wrote. “The law, in fact, targets all Latinos and others who may appear ‘foreign.'”
“It is a profoundly unjust and dangerous law that threatens the rights of millions of Americans–including large numbers of Major League Baseball players and their fans–to be secure in their person, and to lawfully enjoy their civil liberties,” they wrote.
On Monday, Herrera and Campos called for a citywide boycott of the state of Arizona and businesses based there.
Mayor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday ordered a moratorium on city employee travel to the state for official business, with exceptions for law enforcement, public health or safety.
A spokesman for Major League Baseball was not immediately available for comment.
