Sign Petition to Boycott Arizona! When Hate Talks, Our Money Walks

On Friday, April 23, Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona signed SB1070, a law that undermines basic civil and human rights and mandates racial profiling by local law enforcement. Since the passage of the law, there has been a strong backlash against the State of Arizona with many individuals, organizations and communities, including San Francisco and the Denver Public Schools, deciding to use their rights as consumers to communicate their outrage and opposition to SB1070’s gross violations of basic rights and freedoms.

PETITION CLOSED

There are a number of provisions in SB1070 that we strongly oppose. SB1070:

Requires police officers to determine the immigration status of a person whenever there is “reasonable suspicion” that the person is unlawfully present

Allows police to verify the immigration status of “reasonably suspicious” people by asking them to produce documents confirming their lawful residence in the United States. Failure to produce such documents may result in arrest and fines

Creates a private right of action for any person to sue a city, town, or county for not enforcing immigrations laws vigorously enough and establishes civil penalties for the city, town, or county

As a city that respects basic civil and human rights, we believe the City of Seattle should utilize every available economic tool to demonstrate its fierce opposition to the passage of SB1070. Accordingly, we urge the City of Seattle and its elected officials to:

1. Review its current investments and economic relationship with the State of Arizona and Arizona-based businesses and divest its interests in the state and its companies

2. Boycott travel to and future spending in the State of Arizona until basic freedoms that were eliminated with the passage of SB1070 are restored

The foundation of democracy rests on accountability, and the State of Arizona must be held accountable for violating the basic rights and freedoms of its residents by enacting legislation that mandates racial profiling and tears apart the trust that has been built between communities and local law enforcement. By divesting in Arizona; boycotting travel and future expenditures in the state; and urging local businesses and organizations to do the same, the City of Seattle will take a leadership role in condemning intolerance and hate while cementing its reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community.

PETITION CLOSED