Boycott Arizona... here's how: A basic consumer guide

by Joel Tena

cartoon by Lalo Alcaraz

(full disclosure: I have not heard any of the national immigrant and/or Latino organizations taking on the task of informing the community of which businesses/organizations to target, so I did a quick websearch and found what I found that the average consumer outside of Arizona might be able to use. This list is not comprehensive, nor is it as strategic as it needs to be. Apologies in advance... -Joel)

Greetings friends and allies,

In the wake of the recent adoption into law of SB1070 by the State of Arizona today (04.23.2010), one of the most draconian anti-immigration laws ever in the United States, many people have called for a boycott of the State of Arizona, including southwestArizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Personally, I haven't been to Arizona in five years and do not plan on going there any time soon. I created this list to give folks/average consumers outside of Arizona a chance to show their disgust with the passage of this racist legislation by boycotting the following, Arizona-based companies.

2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ

Apollo Group (University of Phoenix). Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks, Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Best Western International, Inc., Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Cold Stone Creamery. Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

CSK Auto (Checker Auto Parts, Schucks Auto Supply, Kragen Auto Parts, Murray's Discount Auto Stores), Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Dial Corporation, Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Discount Tire Company (America's Tire Company). Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Go Daddy. Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Grand Canyon

Mesa Air Group (Mesa Airlines, Go!, Freedom Airlines). Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

P. F. Chang's China Bistro. Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

PetSmart. Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Sky Mall, Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Taser International, Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

U-Haul. Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

US Airways. Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona

It would be helpful to also target the political contributors to Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce and Governor Jan Brewer. I unfortunately do not have that capacity but would welcome others in this endeavour.

Also, encourage your local municipalities to take action. Ask your elected officials to follow the lead of the City of San Francisco and boycott and begin to divest in the State of Arizona. According to SF Supervisor David Campos, "We encourage other cities to join San Francisco. Together we can work to restore justice in our nation."

For more information on companies that do business in Arizona and actions to take against this racist, anti-immigrant legislation, please click on the following links:

Arizona’s Largest Employers (JobBank USA)

FORTUNE 500 by State (CNN)

List of Arizona companies (Wikipedia)

List of corporations in Phoenix (Wikipedia)

BOYCOTT ARIZONA ! – Contact These Companies and Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts (The Seminal)

"Boycott the Police State known as Arizona" Facebook Group

Immigrant Rights

VivirLatino

ACLU Arizona

Coalición de Derechos Humanos

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

This note has no permission restrictions on it so please forward far and wide and share it with your networks, friends, and family.

¡Adelante!

-Joel