Civic Engagement and Arizona Response boycottintolerance

1. Civic Engagement and Arizona Responsewww.boycottintolerance.org Regional Affiliate Meetings Fall 2010

2. Broader origins of SB 1070 • Law did not arise organically—FAIR, IRLI, Kris Kobach • Authors have been working on these laws for years, starting with Hazleton, PA, and others will follow it, such as legislation challenging birthright citizenship • Anti-Latino and anti-immigrant sentiment • Law is part of a campaign to undermine steps toward federal immigration reform legislation

3. What’s wrong with the law • Usurps federal authority, creates new state immigration crimes • Allows private citizens to sue cops and govt. agencies for not enforcing the law to their liking • Makes it unlawful for any person to transport, move, conceal, or harbor an undocumented immigrant • If allowed to stand, legitimizes and legalizes racial profiling • Does not solve the immigration problem

4. How the law is affecting the Latino community • The Latino community in Arizona is under siege as a result of this and other draconian legislative measures • What is happening in Arizona will not blow over and is spreading to other states • Arizona represents a sustained, systematic assault on the entire Latino community; we must stand together decisively to overcome these obstacles

5. Update on SB 1070 response • Litigation • July 29 U.S. District Court ruling enjoins portions of the law, while other sections DID go into effect • Appeal hearings will be held this fall • Economic / boycott actions • City/county travel bans, boycott, divestment and/or comprehensive immigration reform resolutions • Cancelled conferences and performances • Voter engagement efforts • Push for immigration reform

6. NCLR response to SB 1070 • Economic boycott • High-level sports targets, including MLB and NCAA • Participation in legal efforts through amicus brief • Outreach to corporate partners and other allies • Online advocacy and public education campaign • Website: www.boycottintolerance.org • Action alert emails and new media (i.e. Facebook ads) • Test-messaging platform • PSAs

8. Impact of SB 1070 on immigration reform • Update on comprehensive immigration reform • Currently, no Republicans stepping up and legislation cannot pass without Republican support • NCLR working with the CBA to make statements opposing SB 1070-like legislation and supporting CIR • Update on DREAM Act legislation • Senator Reid offered the DREAM as an amendment to the Defense Department authorization bill on 9/21 • This was a procedural vote, and there were not enough votes for cloture/to begin debate

9. Impact of SB 1070 on other states • Over 55 states, counties, and cities have come out against the law through resolutions • However, news around copycats is circulating • News sources are reporting as many as 22 states that are likely to introduce copycat legislation • Legislative sessions start in January • Many of these copycat rumors are politically motivated and don’t have anything to do with policy

10. Impact of SB 1070 on other states • 22 Gubernatorial candidates—D’s and R’s—have endorsed anti-immigrant measures • Most of these anti-immigrant measures are in states with November elections • 5 states have introduced copycat legislation but legislation did not move because the session ended • SC, PA, MN, RI and MI • For these reasons, voter engagement in November is critically important

11. Affiliate Response to SB 1070 • Community mapping to assess your resources • Voter engagement activities • Arizona Affiliates partnering with civic engagement table • Media work • Utah Coalition de la Raza / ComunidadesUnidas • Organizing • Coalition of Virginia organizations’ letter to the Governor • Lobby / work on legislation • Latin American Community Center, Delaware

12. NCLR Resources to help with your response • Voter engagement activities • In two weeks, NCLR will have a full set of online resources available at www.nclr.org/vote • Media / Talking points • Talking points will be e-mailed as a follow-up to this meeting • Pro-active legislation • List of cities /counties that have already passed resolutions • Sample city / county resolutions • Organizing • Build a list of your supporters

13. Strategies for Affiliates to get involved! • Promote voter engagement with your staff / clients • Sign the boycott pledge • Take a leadership role in fighting copycat legislation in your state • Work on anti-SB 1070, pro-immigration reform, and/or boycott resolutions • Build a list by signing an MOU Complete the handout to indicate how your organization can get involved so that NCLR can follow-up. Options include:

14. Key activity between now and November • Given the sustained, systematic attack on the Latino community, voter engagement is paramount. • The attitude of elected officials in Arizona will not change without a strong showing at the polls. • Without a large national Latino turnout in November, intolerance will spread. • Together, we much send a message we intend to vote for the respect our community deserves.

15. FOR MORE INFORMATION • COPYCATS: Elena Lacayo, elacayo@nclr.org • ARIZONA/BOYCOTT: Lindsay Daniels, ldaniels@nclr.org, www.boycottintolerance.org • LIST-BUILDING: Ellie Klerlein, eklerlein@nclr.org • LATINOVOTE: Loren McArthur, lmcarthur@nclr.org