San Francisco supervisors today passed legislation denouncing a new Arizona law that requires police to question anyone they suspect is in the country illegally and calling for a boycott of the state and businesses based there.
The resolution says the law “will inevitably lead to racial profiling, jeopardizes public safety, and creates a wedge between law enforcement and ethnic communities.”
The Arizona law, which requires police “when practicable” to detain people they “reasonably” suspect to be in the country illegally, has drawn widespread condemnation from immigration and civil rights advocates, and many elected officials, including President Obama.
Oakland passed a similar boycott resolution last week.
San Francisco’s resolution urges city departments not to enter into new or amended contracts with Arizona-based companies and to consider discontinuing existing contracts, and not to send city officials or employees to conferences in the state–unless there would be “significant additional cost” to San Francisco or it would conflict with law.
The resolution also urges private San Francisco-based businesses to avoid doing business with Arizona or holding conferences there, and San Francisco residents to avoid tourism in Arizona.
Supervisor David Campos, who introduced the resolution, called it “a very measured response to a very egregious act” by Arizona elected officials.
He said Arizona is “violating the basic rights of many of its residents.”
Mayor Gavin Newsom has already ordered a moratorium on city employee travel to Arizona for official business, with exceptions for law enforcement, public health or safety.
In announcing the moratorium April 27, Newsom called the law “misguided” and convened a task force to explore a “smart and effective” boycott of the state.
