If I didn't know better, I'd say progressives have their game on.
National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON) and Turning the Tide, two groups instrumental in organizing last year's boycott of Arizona over anti-immigration legislation, today faxed a letter to Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia informing him
“of efforts underway to organize a national boycott of Georgia, in the event that Georgia’s Arizona copycat legislation -- HB 87 and SB 40 -- should become law. “
The National Lesbian and Gay Task Force got into the act with a separate letter of their own to Governor Deal:
“should the State of Georgia follow Arizona down a regrettable path to codifying anti-immigrant bias in its laws, we would be forced to reconsider our choice of venue and host city for the 2013 Creating Change Conference.”
Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort and other legislators are on board:
"If House bill 87 passes and the Governor refuses to veto it, we, in Georgia, will call for a boycott. These laws have devastating effects on families, students, workers, and entire communities. People of good conscience will find other places for their vacations and conventions until this state gets back on the right side of history," Fort said.
The Mexican Consulate has chimed in as well:
“Mexico also expresses its concern over the possible negative effects that this kind of bill could have on the friendship, trade, culture and tourism links that have traditionally united our country with Georgia.”
Under HB 87, the "Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011", state and local police would be authorized to verify the immigration status of suspects. It would criminalize faith-based and other humanitarian efforts that involve transporting or harboring illegal immigrants. The Bill would also force employers to use E-Verify to check the immigration status of employees.