The Phoenix Suns will wear the jerseys in tonight's playoff game on the Cinco de Mayo holiday to "to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation," says the owner.
Owner Robert Sarver told the Associated Press that frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the illegal immigration issue led to the passage of what he called "a flawed state law."
"However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," he said, "and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."
The law passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed by Gov. Jan Brewer defines illegal immigration as trespassing and allows local law enforcement agencies to question people they suspect of being undocumented.
Opponents of the law say it will encourage racial profiling, break up families, and harm communities by making illegal immigrants fearful of co-operating with police investigating crimes.
Supporters of the law in Arizona say it's not about race, but rules. And that the state was essentially forced to confront the issue because of the federal government's failure to act.
Sarver came up with the idea for the jerseys, but left it up to the players for a final decision. Suns guard Steve Nash said it was a unanimous decision.
"I think it's fantastic," Nash said after Tuesday's practice. "I think the law is very misguided. I think it's, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it's very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us."
Check out ESPN's interview with Nash for more on the controversy.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told the Associated Press said his team was interested in taking part but couldn't get new "Los Spurs" road jerseys in time for the game.
"It's a wonderful idea," Popovich said. "because it kind of shows what we all should be about. Sure there needs to be a lot of work done, obviously. A lot of administrations have done nothing about the immigration deal and now everybody's paying the price, especially a lot of people in Arizona. That's a bad thing, but the reaction is important, too, and this reaction [the Arizona law], I believe with Mr. Sarver, is inappropriate."
Photo: Getty Images
Steve Nash is Canadian, so his opinion is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteAnd here's hoping the NBA fines the entire team for being in violation of uniform.
They're not in violation of uniform - several teams wear jerseys like this on occasion. It's not unlike the Blue Jays wearing red on July 1 for Canada Day, or the Red Sox going with green on St. Patricks Day. Sheesh.
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ReplyDelete"...making illegal immigrants fearful of co-operating with police investigating crimes."
ReplyDeleteAm I wrong in thinking they should be somewhat fearful in dealing with police, since they are illegal? I would be scared to be questioned by the police in Mexico if I knew that I was there illegally.
I guess the NBA encourages criminal activity now since they are here illegally!
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess everybody that want to can walk right in and enjoy the game. No ticket required.
ReplyDeleteOh, the people that already bought the tickets, you're out of luck, these guys want to watch.
If you ask to see a ticket - yeah that makes you a really, really bad person. We don't want to live in a country where that happens...
Another reason not to watch this game.
ReplyDeleteshouldn't it be "Los Sols"
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ReplyDeleteCome on guys. Lets please keep it civil. The more voices, the merrier, but please "refrain from profanity, obscenity, spam, name-calling or attacking others for their views."
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, anonymous comments will be turned off.
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ReplyDeleteRead Ghoul's comment take that down if you're going to be fair.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that the players fully endorse their owner's ridiculous intentions and voluntarily cut their own salaries by 99% to align with an illegal alien's earnings.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion: how about playing "Ice, Ice Baby" at halftime?
I hope we see a lot of injuries in this game.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of ILLEGAL immigrants do people not understand? It is breaking the law, just like robbing a bank, stealing a car, killing someone, on different levels. It is ILLEGAL!
ReplyDeleteWhy should you not have to submit documentation to show you are legal to be in the US? If I get pulled over, I have to show that I am legal to be driving a car by showing my driver's license. Why should proving my residency be any different?
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ReplyDeleteThe problem with this law is that it lends itself to profiling based on a person's skin color. We all know what group of people is the focus of this law, because clearly illegal immigrants couldn't have white skin... right?
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are both Asian and are also American Citizens. Both of us have PhD degrees and have worked for the US Government for more than 15 years. If I am walking down the street and more than one police officer stops us based on our looks and wants us to provide our citizenship, that's harassment and racial discrimination.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are both Asian and are also American Citizens. Both of us have PhD degrees and have worked for the US Government for more than 15 years. If I am walking down the street and more than one police officer stops us based on our looks and wants us to provide our citizenship, that's harassment and racial discrimination.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for the inconvenience this causes you, and I can see your point. However due to the fact many more other than you broke the law, you're having to suffer. I hate that that's the possibility, but its like it always works, some people mess it up for everyone else. I don't necessarily see it only as a race issue. I think if the person is caucasian and speaks with a noticeable foreign accent they should be checked as well. I guess you can just blame those that created this mess for you.
My wife and I are both Asian and are also American Citizens. Both of us have PhD degrees and have worked for the US Government for more than 15 years. If I am walking down the street and more than one police officer stops us based on our looks and wants us to provide our citizenship, that's harassment and racial discrimination.
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so if youre an american citizen i assume you agree that illegal immigration is a problem. if the federal govt hadnt let it get this out of control individual states would not have to take these measures. also i would almost guarantee that you and your wife would be fine going anywhere in arizona without being harrassed. and if it did occur you could feel proud that your tax dollars are being used to combat a major problem to our nation
The Arizona law is unconstitutional and won't stand a court challenge. While you can argue that illegal aliens have no right in the country (I don't disagree with that) you can't subject US Citizens to unreasonable searchs or questioning. Most Latinos are US citizens so they will be singled out for questioning and that is the basis for the legal challenage. Also, there is nothing to stop a law enforcement officer coming up to any of you visiting Arizona and questioning you on your citizenship status - that is within the scope of this new law. How would you like that? I bet you wouldn't and neither would I so maybe now you understand how others feel about it.
ReplyDeleteImmigrants (legal or illegal) have become a scapegoat for societal ills.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that entering the US 'legally' can cost thousands and take up to ten years. Its much harder to enter the US legally than it was when most of our immigrant ancestors came here.
Immigration policy appears to be just another failed govt program.
The people here saying those with brown skin or 'foreign' accents (I would guess non-southern twangy in this case), would be the same ones complaining if the police were wanting to look at their 'papers'. They would be screaming that the 'rapture' was coming or some other myth they believe in. These are probably the same people that would like to being forced segeregation back. I applaud the Suns for using their popularity and broad following to take a stand against such backward policies.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicalramblingsofamadman.com
ReplyDeleteWhat's next? Will the Suns come out in jump suits to honor their local inmate community.
NO ONE has a problem with LEGAL immigration. EVERYONE has a problem with ILLEGAL immigration. Get that through your head Franco.
Has anyone here read the law, or do you simply go by what the media tells you?
ReplyDeleteThe law requires officers to request proof of legal status (ie: LEGAL DRIVERS LICENSE) during lawful contact (ie: TRAFFIC STOP) if there is reason to believe the person is there illegally. Such reasons include: traveling on a known human smuggling corridor, traveling with an overloaded (with people) vehicle, etc.
The law also specifically states that race alone is NOT reason to stop or question someone. If you are Hispanic, in your car alone and are stopped for speeding in an area that is NOT known to be a human smuggling corridor, you've got NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!
I'm guessing Mr. Asian PhD hasn't bothered to read the law either because he is right, stopping someone who is simply walking down the street and demanding their proof of citizenship is unlawful and discriminatory. That is WHY THE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW SUCH BEHAVIOR! Had he taken 10 minutes to actually read and understand it, instead of being spoonfed misinformation from the media, he'd know that his supposition is patently untrue.
I'd also gather that neither the NBA players nor the owners have bothered themselves to read it either. I heartily agree with Anonymous at 10:08am - maybe they'll allow folks without tickets to attend for free. That would really be in keeping with the spirit of opposing this law. I'll bet they wouldn't do that, especially during the playoffs.
Oh, and Anonymous at 11:16am - I hate to burst your bubble, but the law is constitutional. It was written with the knowledge that given its controversial nature, it would be challenged, so the authors purposely penned it to sustain any challenge. Also, the State of Arizona is 3/3 in challenges against its laws.
Did all the players elect to do this or was it something the front office made them do? I'm just saying this may not be the opinion of all the individuals representing the idea. There goes free speech. But, if all the players object the new law, than great idea.
ReplyDeleteBravo to the Suns organization for standing up for what's right and shame on so many on the board who loudly proclaim their patriotism while failing to understand the basic truths outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Racial profiling, invasion of privacy, and illegal search and seizure without warrant go fundamentally against everything this country is supposed to stand for. It's appalling that so many fail to get that.
ReplyDeleteThe basic fact is that illegal immigrants are here because there are some jobs that Americans deem too difficult or unsavory to do at the wages that employers are willing to pay. Since most of them work, they put more into the financial chain than they take out; dozens of studies have shown that.
And, of course, a bunch of business owners make a nice profit because of the underpaid labor these "illegals" provide. Somehow, the businesses that hire these people are never the problem because in the mean, malice-driven world conservative Republicans now live in, businesses are NEVER at fault. But what do you think would happen to those businesses if they suddenly lost the work force they count on to make them wealthy? What would happen with all the lawns that don't get mowed, all the buildings that won't get built, all the crops that won't get harvested, all the childcare that won't be provided, and the list goes on and on and on...? What then?
It's beyond belief that some people can't seem to wrap their minds around the fact that they're being played, again. Business leaders NEED the illegals to keep their profits high, but getting the rank-and-file Republican base all worked up about the "problem" of illegal immigration keeps getting Republican politicians elected.
The "problem" of illegal immigration could be solved with the implementation of work permits, but amnesty has to be part of it or witch-hunts will surely be the result. Any sensible person who has studied the issue understands this. But propagandists have convinced the unthinking half of America that building a monstrously expensive wall is what we need. What is this country coming to when ignorance on that scale is not merely allowed but actively encouraged?
HA HA HA! I love it. You guys are so lost in the issue to realize this will be a HUGE MONEY gainer for the organization.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a ploy to make money. New jerseys based on the foundation of American rights, Mexican hearts, and free PR....ALL taken advantage of by a capitalist organization.
The irony in all of this is quite amusing.
The Suns don't care about illegals or not. They just want to make money folks. The political statement of these new jerseys should say " Los Sols." That would be a statement, but would also run away the American money. So, they split it...half american, half mexican. Cha-CHING!
IMO - the Gringos should lasso the illegal Mexi's then sit down for a Taco Bell dinner and watch the game
Many of you are absolute cowards in that you're willing to voice your opinion but too weak to identify yourself, even through the use of a moniker.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic that those that cry the loudest regarding illegal immigration are the same ones whose forefathers acted in a similar manner when they stole the land that was owned by the original inhabitants. At least they aren't sending smallpox in blankets....
You can stop me any day of the week and ask me to show my citizenship, I have no problem with it.
ReplyDelete11:04 poster. Caucasians will get stopped and asked for identification if they have a heavy foreign accent? What an dumb thing to post. May be you would like to add jumping down trade street on a pogo stick as well. Caucasians hardly ever get stopped for ID, only blacks and other minorities. Arizona makes it one step closer to having a nationwide dragnet against minorities, if they wish. What happened to all of these freedoms and liberty the right wingers have been ranting and raving about. Oh, I forgot they mean freedom and civil liberties for some, mainly Caucasians.
ReplyDeleteRemember, there are some dirty, racist law enforcement officersout there out there. If you don't believe that Dorothy will welcome you to Kansas.
To those who say they have no problem with being stopped and asked for their papers, it's a shame they couldn't have lived in Nazi Germany, or any of the former Soviet bloc countries, or pretty much any fascist dictatorship and banana republic in the last century where such actions were official government policy, and you could be detained for any length of time for any reason the authorities claimed. Ah, good times for conservatives.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with conservative Republicans and tea partiers who don't bother to think an issue through and let paid propagandists form their opinions for them is that they don't see that what lies down the road they advocate is actually fascism - government by corporation with repression of individual rights official policy. The only person "caught" by the Bush administration's warrantless wiretaps was former NY Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, a crusader against white-collar criminals. Wall Street wanted him gone, and the uber-conservative Bush Administration shredded the Constitution to eagerly comply with their wishes. Not a single terrorist suspect has ever been apprehended in this country without a valid warrant. This is not fantasy folks, it's precisely what happened and what the outrageously named Patriot Act was really all about. This may be the country they want to live in, but the rest of us are simply releved McCain and the Republicans lost so dramatically in '08.
GK- great post.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about the law I was opposed as well, but then I took time to actually learn about it.
Current resident aliens are required (and have been since the 1940's)to carry proof of their legal status in this country.
AZ police CANNOT STOP SOMEONE SOLELY BASED ON A SUSPECTED IMMIGRATION VIOLATION. It must be done in the context of routine policework.
Looking at the posts here (especially Mr. Asian PhD), it's obvious many people have not bothered to read the law or an objective summary of it.
And Mr Ordonez- you should have done your part to stop the spread of misiniformation.
Didn't President Bush - along with, gasp, John McCain - try to pass comprehensive immigration reform? However, they failed due to almost unified opposition from their Republican colleagues in congress. Not to mention they were lambasted by the non-sense coming from their Republican base - the current Tea Partiers, I suppose. And NOW the Republicans who support this law in Arizona are blaming the federal government for their inaction when these people were largely the cause of said inaction. Doesn't make much sense to me. I commend the Suns' owner and the team for making this brave statement.
ReplyDeleteRight on for Los Suns.
ReplyDeleteIllegals are destroying our country and way of life. They have no desire to assimilate. While our great nation can be represented by different colors, religions, ethnicities, etc. we need to share a common notion of being Americans. This is not the case with illegals. Liberals wake up. While you like the hispanic vote so you can implement your socialist agenda when the illegals form a majority it will be too late to join the right side of this issue.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteBush and McCain were wrong. They wanted to grant citizenships to all illegals. Build the freaking fence and keep them out!!!!
I wonder what Mr. Sarver would think about people sneaking into the game without a ticket?
ReplyDeletepeople... the fact of the matter is that this is a FEDERAL LAW (not fully enforced) that the Arizona Gov’t passed on the state level... Arizona is actually doing the right thing here folks...
ReplyDeleteI wish North Carolina and the rest of the USA would do the same thing...
So please do some research before posting your ignorance...
Is illegal immigration a federal or state issue? Is it a individual responsibility or social issue? There are an estimated 12 million people living here illegally. There is no way they can survive in America without a social and economic network.
ReplyDeleteIf the government was really serious about stopping illegal immigration then they should adopt RICO Laws for illegal immigration.
That means any citizens involved with the harboring, commerce or employment of illegal citizens will be subjected to imprisonment, fines, and seizures. This is just as much an economic issue as it is a political issue.
As far as the uniforms. The Suns and the Spurs wore these uniforms earlier this year. It is obvious that many of you don't watch NBA basketball.
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ReplyDelete...no mos, no mos...
ReplyDeleteVery depressing comments from "both sides of the aisles"..and not one realistic solution offered by anyone..racist non-productive comments by some and holier than thou "ignorant rednecks we know better than you" type comments by others show me that the wonderful harmony that I thought I found here is nothing but a lie..everyone should be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI have a solution for you... If you want to stop illegal immigration, make it a federal offense to knowingly hiring one, with a mandatory sentence of 5 years. 99% of them are here to work, both sides can agree to that, if they cannot get work, 95% of them would stop coming. If you are serious about stopping it start looking employers up!!
ReplyDeleteWhy did I as an LEGAL immigrant (VISA, GREENCARD) have to have on my person, ready to present to whoever wanted to see it whenever it was asked have to present my documentation to say I was LEGALLY here per FEDERAL LAW and yet CRIMINALS dont.
ReplyDelete83% of CRIMINAL immigrants are hispanic. Mexican CRIMINAL immigrants account for the biggest group of CRIMINALS, 22 times larger than the next highest group (CANADIANS). 25% of those in prison are CRIMINAL immigrants. It isnt racial profiling if you look to a group that is responsible for the majority of it.
ReplyDeleteGK- you are seriously naive if you don't believe this law will be used in other parts of Arizona against legal residents by unscrupulous law enforcement officials. This law smells of the Patriotic Act. And the law will be proven to be unconstitutional. All it will take is for one legal citizen to be unfairly questioned thanks to this law and then after that, it will be in the courts. The problem with this law isn't the intent but the wide scope that law enforcement can use it. It will be abused.
ReplyDeleteJustus - I did not realize that you're a psychic and are capable of foreseeing the future! Can you please provide the next lottery drawing numbers?
ReplyDeleteMy comments are with regards to what the law STATES not what I THINK will happen, or how it might be abused. As written, the law specifically outlines the only way (legal contact) that a suspected immigrant may be questioned. It also specifically outlines that questioning a suspected illegal alien solely based upon race is illegal and discriminatory.
Furthermore, there is no such act as the "Patriotic Act" - it's known as the PATRIOT Act.
The SUV's driver, Arturo Cinto, 33, was arrested and charged with driving without a license....right here in Charlotte. How can you approve of illegal immigrants, what if they had hit your family's car?
ReplyDeleteObviously most of you understand the US Constitution or pay attention to the US Supreme Court decisions. This law is NOT unconstitutional.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all ONLY Citizens of the United States are protected by the United States Constitution and secondly on June 21, 2004, the US Supreme Court, held that United States Citizens don't have a constitutional right to refuse to identify themselves to police. (Hiibel, Larry v. 6th Judicial District Court of Nevada, Humboldt County, et al. Docket Number 03-5554). So therefore currently in ANY State in the Union a police officer can stop you and ask to see your id for any reason.
In addition Federal Law already states that Immigrants must carry their visa paperwork with them at all times and present it when requested by a Law Enforcement official, it is a law that is rarely enforced. People love to criticize but never offer an alternative, this federal law has been on the books for a long time but as normal, bleeding heart liberal with no backbones are now screaming about it “violating” a persons rights, when in reality these liverals have no clue of what they are talking about. I say either repeal the federal law or enforce it as the State of Arizona is doing.
FEAR NOT THE LEGAL CITIZENS OF ARIZONA. FEAR THE "LONE WOLF" THAT WILL ACT ALONE! TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
ReplyDeleteCA. FRUITCAKES ARE BOYCOTTING AZ. WE'LL TODAY IN PHOENIX SHERIFF JOE "RAIDED" ANOTHER BUSINESS THAT HIRES ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH "STOLEN I.DS. SO FAR 45 HAVE BEEN ARRESTED. THIS IS HOW THINGS ARE IN AZ. ILLEGALS USE FORGERY AND FAKE I.DS. TO TAKE JOBS FROM AMERICANS. MEANWHILE THAT "RACE BAITER" SHAPTON MARCHES DOWN THE STREET AND DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE'S BLABBING HIS LIVER LIPS OVER.
ReplyDeletehttp://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7421853
ReplyDelete18 year old white American student murdered in Mexico learning how smuggle in illegals.
http://newsmax.com/InsideCover/Mexico-Illegals-Laws-Tougher/2010/05/03/id/357615
Mexico immigration laws tougher than Arizonas but you are not supposed to notice? Clearly the liberals are trying to reduce the majority white population in America to a minority using the red mongoloid race Mexican ex-Asian migrants.
This is forced manipulated social engineering diabolical and devious in itself and the biggest reason conservatives are against more illegals.
Otherwise the Spanish/Hispanic tongue derived from Latin/Latino language is 100% white European just like English French or Russian.
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ReplyDeleteComments have been turned off temporarily because some people simply can't be civil.
ReplyDeletePlease refrain from profanity, obscenity, spam, name-calling or attacking others for their views.
Finally, a voice of reason in the NBA. Here's what Phil Jackson had to say about it:
ReplyDelete"But Lakers Coach Phil Jackson doesn't see it that way. "Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard [the legislature] say ‘we just took the United States immigration law and adapted it to our state," he said. "I don't think teams should get involved in the political stuff. And I think this one's still kind of coming out to balance as to how it's going to be favorably looked upon by our public. If I heard it right the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I'm not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it's going to go."
http://laist.com/2010/05/06/obama_endorses_los_suns_coach_phil.php?gallery0Pic=2
Play b-ball, not politics.
Franco, Do you support the laws of Mexico? They don't allow illegal immigrants....so I guess you don't.
ReplyDelete"The law requires officers to request proof of legal status (ie: LEGAL DRIVERS LICENSE) during lawful contact (ie: TRAFFIC STOP)"
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the law, but if it is really just a matter of showing your driver's license at a traffic stop, then the law is rather pointless. Certainly in NC you're already required to show your driver's license when you're stopped for a traffic offense or practically anything else, and I doubt that is something new to Arizona with this law.
A driver's license is no proof of citizenship.
A drivers license is not proof of citizenship; a US passport or birth certificate is.
ReplyDeleteI think to avoid claims of racial profiling, Arizona police will probably start asking every person for proof of citizenship and we will all have to carry our passports when traveling to Arizona.
I feel bad for Arizona law enforcement; they have been put in a terrible position.