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More Background on Rally at MLB Headquarters in Response to AZ Immigration Law

Posted June 24, 2010 by Ted Hesson
Categories: New York

On July 8, The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is organizing a rally in front of Major League Baseball headquarters in Manhattan. In response to Arizona’s draconian immigration law, advocates are calling for MLB to relocate the 2011 All Star Game, which is scheduled to be played in Phoenix.

Here’s the latest flier from the NYIC, with an explanation as to why the group is targeting Major League Baseball. For a PDF version of the flier, click here.

NYC Rally at Major League Baseball Headquarters:

Move the 2011 All-Star Game Out of Arizona and Protest Anti-Immigrant Arizona Laws!

WHEN: THURSDAY JULY 8TH

TIME: 12 NOON

WHERE: MLB Headquarters
245 Park Ave (46th and Park Ave)

WHY: Let’s send a message to Arizona: we oppose the un-American law (SB1070) that threatens civil rights and undermines basic notions of fairness. We call on the MLB to do the same.

For more details /to co-sponsor the action, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-627-2227 X246 at The New York Immigration Coalition.

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What is Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070?

SB 1070 is a law passed by the Arizona state government that forces police to ask any person who looks “reasonably suspicious” for their immigration papers. In effect, it will encourage the police to engage in racial profiling that will target Hispanics living or visiting the state. It will also marginalize immigrant communities in the state and will drive a wedge between them and law enforcement officials.

Why Major League Baseball?

The 2011 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to occur in Phoenix, AZ. We are calling on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to publicly denounce this unjust law and refuse to hold an All-Star game in Arizona until the law is revoked.

27% of MLB players are Latino and 28% are foreign born-when SB 1080 goes into effect this year, these players could be unjustly targeted by Arizona police. The Major League Baseball Players Association has already publicly denounced the law because of the negative impact it could have on its members. The MLB has a similar responsibility to show not only to these players but also the millions of Hispanic and immigrant fans of baseball responsibility to show not only to these players, but also the millions of Hispanic and immigrant fans of baseball, that it values their support and contributions to the sport and is prepared to take a stand for them. Moving the All-Star Game from Phoenix will send the message that baseball, the quintessential American sport, will not accept the
un-American treatment of its players or its fans.

There is a long history of sport s leagues and organizations standing up for what is right: from the international boycott of South Africa during Apartheid, to the NFL’s refusal to hold a Superbowl in Arizona when the state did not acknowledge MLK day. The MLB itself is tied to the struggle for civil rights in America, beginning with Jackie Robinson as the first African-American player in 1947. We call on Commissioner Bud Selig to continue in this tradition of demonstrating that the sport values fair play both on and off the field.

The MLB should refuse to hold the All-Star game in Arizona until all baseball players and their fans can live and visit Arizona with the confidence that their civil rights will be upheld and the police will not single them out because of the color of their skin.

For more details /to get involved in the action, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-627-2227 X246 at The New York Immigration Coalition.

Tags : arizona, arizona boycott, diamondbacks, mlb, nyic, sb 1070

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