The following is a letter sent to the office of Gov. Brewer of Arizona regarding her recent signing of Bill SB.1070 into law.
Governor Brewer,
Hello. I hope this letter finds you well.
I am not a resident of Arizona and up until last week I would never have considered that there was any reason that I would be inclined to contact you. However, your actions in signing into law SB.1070 have changed that. I am writing to you today to express my disappointment that you saw fit to sign a bill so glaringly contrary to our traditions, values and freedoms as Americans into law. It’s proponents refer to this law as an immigration law but it is not. It is a xenophobic discrimination law that stigmatizes minority populations and, in essence, voids the freedom that Americans understand to be the hallmark of this nation. It is, in short, a direct assault on our liberty.
I have been encouraged over the past few days by the forces of reason and justice that have manifested themselves in numerous protests throughout Arizona in reaction to the enactment of this hateful law. The people of Arizona and those of other states peacefully calling for its repeal and indications from Attorney General Eric Holder with regard to the prospect that a Federal challenge to the constitutionality of the law may be forthcoming are greatly encouraging. These give me hope that rationality and justice may prevail over the forces of fear and bigotry that were so obviously the motivation behind this law and its proponents. I hope you find them informative as well.
The real reason I am taking the trouble to write to you is to let you know that I will be doing whatever is in my power to influence those within Arizona, its residents and leaders, to abandon this ill conceived and damaging law. As I cannot take action within Arizona at the ballot box to express my displeasure with this law I will use my wallet to do so. Many have been calling for a boycott of Arizona as a means of expressing the collective national objection to the new law. I will happily be joining this effort. I will not knowingly purchase products produced in Arizona and will in fact proactively seek to ensure that the things I do purchase have as little connection to Arizona as possible.
On a larger note I had been planning a trip for this summer to visit the Grand Canyon with my family which we will now forsake. I have not been to visit the Grand Canyon since I was a young boy with my parents and siblings many years ago. I look forward to taking my own children to marvel at its timeless beauty some day. But that day will wait until I can set foot in the state of Arizona without thinking that other citizens may not do the same without fear of having their freedoms infringed on simply because of their appearance. How is it that such can be the case in the 21st century United States of America?
I have also gone to the trouble of altering my travel arrangements for an upcoming business trip so as to avoid flights that required me to make connections at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. When changing my travel plans I informed the airline that a desire to avoid travelling through Arizona in light of the new law was the reason.
I don’t know if my efforts, or those of others, will result in the repeal of this loathsome law but it is my moral obligation to do what I can, peacefully, in solidarity with my fellow citizens of all races, cultures and backgrounds, as Americans, to protest and attempt to undue a grave blow to the American way of life.
Respectfully,
Mheido
New York, NY