An Orange County (CA) political blog run by the former Hispanic Outreach Director for the Republican Party of Orange County is planning a protest outside Staples Center on May 17 before Game 1 of the Lakers-Suns playoff game.
(How flattering)
Friday Santa Ana resident Art Fedora asked readers to join him before Monday’s game at 5pm “to denounce Lakers Coach Phil Jackson for his support of Racist Arizona bill SB1070.” Fedora added in his posted request, “What if during a basketball Game in Arizona, Lakers Fans get questioned about their immigration status?”
The “protest” stems from comments made by Jackson earlier this month to the media about Arizona’s pending immigration enforcement law. On May 5, the coach told J.A. Adande:
“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.”
More Jackson on SB 1070:
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.’
It’s not usurping, it’s just copying it is what they said they did, and then they gave it some teeth to be able to enforce it.
Ironic coming from Jackson who Adande noted, “has showed lefty leanings in the past.” Also interesting to note that Staples Center protest organizer Fedora once worked for the Republican party in an official capacity.
As for public sentiment in Los Angeles about the new Arizona law, yesterday I noted an L.A. TIMES poll that asked readers their opinion of the L.A. City Council voting to boycott Arizona because of the recently passed AZ Senate Bill.
Here’s an update on those poll results:
Appears the L.A.P.D can hold off on the water cannon on Monday, Jackson’s plenty of company on the his side of the issue. (That’s a joke kiddos.)
Why do I have a feeling none of this ill will among Lakers fans, at least as it pertains to Jackson, would be happening if the Suns hadn’t decided to get political on the issue?
10:22 pm on May 14th, 2010
If you dont live there shut up. Wait till it happens in your neck of the woods. When that happens, you will support the bill. You cant imagine the violence.
12:11 am on May 15th, 2010
These rabble-rousers need to realize they’re way, way on the losing end of this one. Nobody’s buying what they’re selling. Live to fight another day, La Raza.
12:16 am on May 15th, 2010
if they get questioned about their status, they better have their f*cking license with them then. end of story. LA sucks…people against this law suck. Unless you deal with it, shut your pie hole.
12:31 am on May 15th, 2010
its so funny that even phil supports the law…only ignoramuses or those with a certain agenda dislike the law
1:35 am on May 15th, 2010
Hey leave me alone and let me sit on my high chair between Hamblen and Shaw, so I can whistle to my players and talk about zen
11:03 am on May 15th, 2010
Phil said nothing wrong.
Art Fedora seems to be using Phil Jackson to draw attention to himself and his agenda.
And there is nothing wrong with the law.
11:20 am on May 15th, 2010
Wow! Phil Jackson has a spine! US is the only country that doesn’t take illegal immigration seriously. AZ is just doing what the feds are too cowardly to do. Funny, Gov Arnold said he was going to put the National Guard on the border - to get elected - now he’s against it. Oh, wait, he’s married to a Shriver. Never mind.
12:19 pm on May 15th, 2010
phil has his right to a no opinion statement … but i cant believe this website would support racist comments made by some of these people.. the truth is this state supported racial profiling … I was born in the so cal but i guess i should wear a shirt that reads … do i look illegal? … pull me over so i can sue .. daddy needs some new shoes…
1:06 pm on May 15th, 2010
The fact remians Byra that like with all things in there life there is: “your truth, your opponents truth and then…THE TRUTH”
Maybe that is what Phil with the otherwise “lefty leanings” as described by Adande is trying to point out.
Mind you as a libertarian I personally resent 1070 but for that matter I also resent the “entryists” who seek to subver the issue for some other purpose and that is being done by both the pro and con forces.
1:53 pm on May 15th, 2010
the vast majority of people who support the law are well intentioned…most of those against the law are not well intentioned because they want zero enforcement of any kind and dont care that innocents are also dying when mules sneak in people and abandon them in the desert
2:11 pm on May 15th, 2010
The people who whine most about this law know the least about it. A police officer can’t just ask you to prove you’re a citizen, there has to be reasonable cause for a stop, for a different reason, in the first place. It’s no different than if a person comes into police contact and can’t prove their identify. You don’t just let them go. If you did, and they had a warrant and committed a violent crime, these same people would be raising hell about police incompetence.
As a former police officer, let me tell you, they have no interest in spending their time bothering people who did nothing wrong, there are plenty of others doing the wrong thing that they have to chase around. (Save your anecdotal stories. I know stuff happens, but in the grand scheme of things it’s a minuscule amount.)
4:33 pm on May 15th, 2010
Phil merely explained the through process of the state. They took immigration and made it a state issue to get things done. The feds have always had the right to do what AZ can now do and Phil explained that. We still don’t know if he’s for it or against it.
4:49 pm on May 15th, 2010
I am against this bill and am VERY GLAD to see so many against this and standing UP against it
With that said, they are starting to get under my skin demanding EVERYONE to stand up “or else” though they dont actually say “or else” but imply it
No, not everyone should be FORCED to stand up publicly if they do not want
6:22 pm on May 15th, 2010
You know I’m not surprised so many on this site support police-state racial profiling laws since many sports fans are right wing reactionaries.
7:57 pm on May 15th, 2010
If you have “papers”, then you shouldn’t be offended if you are asked for them WHEN you are getting arrested.
You know I’m not surprised that some on this site love to propagate the lie that this is a police-state profiling law since they don’t care that states are bleeding money to the illegals that live off of the teet of America only to send the milk back to Mexico…
Let the “Meet the Parents” quotes begin….
12:54 am on May 16th, 2010
@Terry Pend, sorry to be the bearer of bad news: this AZ law has 66% approval rating nationwide. The majority is sick of illegals and the cost to our economy and culture. Might have an ounce of compassion if they came here and wanted to assimilate. They don’t - they still live under some delusion that this is their country. No Brits came here in the late 18 and early 1900s thinking this was still their country.
3:27 am on May 16th, 2010
HHHHHHHmmmmmmm????
Do not fool with the Zen !!!
America take a stand, do not be eroded.
In Phil we trust.
Lakers in 5 over Suns, 6 over Magic
9:45 am on May 16th, 2010
The only people against this bill are the people who want these Illegals to take over of the SW by Mexicans. It’s America and they should follow the laws of the country!! They are criminals and shoud be stopped!! What the fuck is wrong with you people, they are destroying the country. It’s not profiling it’s stopping the criminals!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!
10:46 am on May 16th, 2010
As usual, the lawbreakers are against the “laws.” If you disagree with them you are a racist. Same tired old tune…..
One law change I’d like to see changed is if you come here illegally and have a child, the child is NOT a citizen. So many people cross our border to pop out a child to gain citizenship.
11:53 am on May 16th, 2010
What’s “RACIST” about it? YOU’RE HERE ILLEGALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:42 pm on May 16th, 2010
Finally! Most countries other than the U.S. require you carry ID and DO ask for it whenver questioned. AZ so far is the only state to step up to the p[late and get rid of those who wish to come here illegally! Funny thing…CA has the largest # of illegals yet do nothing!
As a resident of AZ, I am happy to see we are finally doing something about this. We have had lots of violent crimes commited by illegals, and we are sick and tired of it! Those who are good hard working individuals and are here illegally suffer for it, and I am sorry…but it is what it is. Get a green card, and do it the right way…OTHERWISE GET OUT NOW!
3:53 pm on May 16th, 2010
WOW……you know, living in AZ, most of what we hear is the media giving a voice to the people against this law - then I stumble onto this story, and there are actualy tons of people that agree with it!
So nice to read the support comments!
3:54 pm on May 16th, 2010
I am not a racist, not have a ever been - but let me tell what happens when we dont enforce the laws. This is a true story. It happened when I was17 and I am 40 now.
July 27th, 1987, I had saved $1500 from 3 different F&B jobs..(it took me almost a year). That day, I went and bought my 1st real car, one that actually ran well and looked ok.
So, I’m taking my Datsun to the car wash (1st wash), and as im turning onto the freeway, a big red Monte Carlo blows the light and slams into me. I’m freaked out (thinking did I do it). After I get out an look at my 2 week old car, its SMASHED to hell. But I’m still thinking I did something wrong.
11 people saw the accident happen, and all said the other car turned on the red light, so I was clear. Although I had my insurance, I didn’t need it…. (liability of course….I was 17 and it was a $1500 car).
The police arrive, come get my paper work, then go over and ask the driver for his license, registration and proof of insurance….guess what, HE HAS NOTHING! Then he asks the other 6 passengers in the car for their identification, guess what, not one of them even had an ID. Cop come back and says, its a good thing your ok, cause there’s one way to even know who this guy is.
Now its to the best part of this story - I say “well what happens now, what do I do, is he going to jail”, cop says “there’s nothing I can do…..nothing”. And the 7 illegal aliens in Monte Carlo started walking…..just walking away from the crash…. And me, I was screwed. Hell, I even had to pay $200, just to get in my car a week later.
So yea, ask the people in AZ about the law, we support it alright and not cause we’re racists. And until your city is has illegal aliens doing this to you….your son or daughter…your mother or father….or just some random guy (who does have the right paper work), please shut up and mind your own business.
5:17 pm on May 16th, 2010
If these illegals protest then who will cut our grass and clean the crap stains form our toilets. Get back to work gorditas
8:58 pm on May 16th, 2010
I love to bang this Arizona piñata. Whack!!! There’s some more candy and crackers.
One theory holds that the term comes from the common diet of poor whites. According to the 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is a term of contempt for the “poor” or “mean whites,” particularly of Georgia and Florida and now Arizona.
Whack !!! Look on the ground…
More crackers. ; })-
10:43 pm on May 16th, 2010
sick of this
1:13 am on May 17th, 2010
LOL…..trust me Ramon, maybe you should talk to some of the AZ “beans”….they cant stand the illegals either!
PS: Last time I cheked, I need “papers” when I travel into Mexico….dont you?
1:25 am on May 17th, 2010
I’m sure most the angry posters here don’t have damn clue on what’s really in the AZ law. The law is actually ok…if you’re white. Also ok if you think racial profiling is constitutional.
The Suns had the guts to call it like it is…racist. Coach Jackson opened his mouth and he’ll have to deal with his angry fan base. Oh, and the angry fans are not illegals. They can think and they have a pocketbook.
History sets in…fear arrives when the economy goes sour…and scapegoats are brown citizens.
Boycott the Lakers!!!!
8:34 am on May 17th, 2010
I’m sure jackson would have more of a problem with this law if it permitted officers to profile any older white man over 6ft6 as a potential criminal.
10:35 am on May 17th, 2010
turns out california has the same law as arizona and it was writen years ago!
11:12 am on May 17th, 2010
Right on Phil. Let it play out, don’t mix politics and basketball. He was asked a question, and he answered.The L.A. City Council can go f themselves, they lost touch long ago. Look at how our city (L.A.) is doing, in debt up to our elbows. Los Lakers my ass, that is just pandering…
1:32 pm on May 17th, 2010
Until americans have to travel to unknown territories for the right of survival maybe they might understand … until then …
1:48 pm on May 17th, 2010
It doesn’t profile anyone. Where in it does it say to racially profile Mexicans, or Latinos. It says that if you are detained, pulled over, or forced to talk to a cop for any LEGAL reason, then that is the only time you have to show that you are a citizen. At first, the way the liberal media reported this law made it sound like Steve Kerr thought it sounded like–police officers walking around like SS soldiers asking for your papers. They’ve completely reported it wrong. To counter everyone who says that the law is good for whites, or a 6′6″ white guy, it also gives the police the right to ask a white guy for proof of citizenship too. If there’s a white, Canadian student who’s overstayed his student visa, he’s also screwed if he’s pulled over, as the cop will ask for his driver’s license. Then, the cop will run the license, and see that he’s illegal. Bye bye illegal Canadian.
Also, why would a majority of Arizonans support this bill? I would say that the majority of Arizonans aren’t racist, as they’ve been living in a diverse state for a while, but they are tired of crime by illegals, tired of being on the border of the battle against illegal immigration, with everyone in Washington ignoring them because they never have to deal with illegals.
Now I support opponents of this bill to protest, because that’s what America is about. And I even support their right to protest a public figure like Phil in hopes of changing his mind about the bill. But doesn’t mean I have to agree with it. Seriously, is that the best use of your protesting effort? Why don’t you go protest in Sacramento, or Washington, or Phoenix, where is might make a difference?
2:47 pm on May 17th, 2010
Theres 1 thing that i agree with that “cheech” wrote below…”Art Fedora seems to be using Phil Jackson to draw attention to himself and his agenda.”
Look Art, its ppl like you that make “US” look so bad. Let the games go on without all of your drama and let the politicians deal with the politics. We all know that “imigration bill” is not going to last brother so let the Laker fans enjoy their upcoming victory in PEACE!!
4:10 pm on May 17th, 2010
Why doesn’t Mexico fix itself so the people won’t have to leave their beloved Mexico? Instead of protesting the Lakers, Arizona, and the U.S. go protest Mexico and have them take responsibility for the Mexican people instead of Americans??? We can’t take care of our own citizens how can you expect America to take care of the people of Mexico????
Ohhh remember if you do go to Mexico make sure you have your “papers”
like your passport or license or some form of ID that you don’t think America should enforce.
6:05 pm on May 17th, 2010
Anyone against the AZ law is either ignorant or is protecting family members.
At no place in the law does it allow for stopping someone on suspicion of being illegal immigrant or alien….
If stopped legally and then suspicion exists, further inquiries may be made.
Below are extracts of the bill:
FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE
WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON.
THE PERSON’S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSUANT TO UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).
This act shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States citizens.
10:29 am on May 18th, 2010
Way to go Phil!!! Insanity has taken over this issue. The people who fan the flames of this legislation are for the over throw of the American government. They stand under the title of La Raza. They stand with Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. They are communists and HATE capitalism. They are the ones who take down the American flag, put up the Mexican flag and then fly the American flag upside down under it. They should go back to Mexico and quit draining American resources. 71% of Americans support the AZ bill. If you do not like America…LEAVE.
12:48 am on May 19th, 2010
Its just little old boycott. Arizona shouldn’t make a big deal out of it. IF 70 PECENT OF THEM ARE UPSET OVER IT THEY SHOULD JUST LEAVE. ; {)-