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D'Backs Games Expected To Attract Protests
Across The Country, Beginning Today In Chicago |
In "just about every city" the D'Backs visit, there is "expected to be a protest outside the stadium against Arizona's new immigration-enforcement law," beginning with today's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, according to E.J. Montini of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Tony Herrera, a member of the Boycott Arizona 2010 movement, said the D'Backs are an "ambassador for Arizona," and D'Backs Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick is a "big supporter of Republican politics." Herrera: "This new law was a Republican bill. Until the law is changed, there should be protests." The D'Backs "appear to have been caught off guard by such comments, even though it is well known that ... Kendrick and his family are major contributors to the Republican Party." D'Backs VP/Communications Shaun Rachau said that the club "doesn't believe that targeting the team is fair." Latino players "make up a significant part of just about every major-league roster," and "likewise, there are many, many Latino baseball fans." Montini wonders, "How would the team, the fans and the players react if a baseball star happened to be singled out and asked to produce his 'papers' while in Arizona?" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/29). The D'Backs yesterday said that it is "team policy not to take political stances," but that Kendrick "opposes Arizona's new immigration law" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/28).
WRIGLEY PROTEST PLANS: In Chicago, Cynthia Dizikes reports the protesters at Wrigley Field, "in addition to hoisting posters and marching," plan to "hand out fliers to baseball fans discussing their opposition to the new law." They also are "encouraging people attending" the game, which will air nationally on WGN, to "wave their own posters condemning the law." The rally is "part of a larger grass-roots movement asking people to halt all contact" with Arizona (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/29).
BOYCOTT BASEBALL? In DC, Robert McCartney writes under the header, "Seeking The Best Way To Boycott Arizona Over Immigration Law." McCartney: "I vote to start with baseball, and I'm not alone. National and local Latino groups are actively discussing whether to urge people to boycott Arizona Diamondbacks games." Center for Community Change Communications Dir Jeff Parcher said MLB "has been identified immediately as a major target" for boycotts (WASHINGTON POST, 4/29). CBSSPORTS.com's Mike Freeman wrote MLB "should join other boycotters and pull the 2011 All-Star Game" from Chase Field. Freeman: "I can tell you that MLB is closely monitoring the situation. It's also clear this is an issue that could eventually resonate across the entire sports spectrum." Freeman added, "If baseball pulls the All-Star Game, does that mean the league should continue by ... moving the Diamondbacks or taking further measures such as pulling all of the spring training games? No, of course not. I'm asking MLB to make a simple, but powerful, statement." Keeping the All-Star Game out of Arizona until legislators "come to their senses would be a powerful move that would need no follow-up" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/28). YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Kaduk wrote, "If you're even considering that MLB should take action, I think it comes down to weighing whether that pressure against the lawmakers would actually make a difference in Arizona deciding to repeal it. Even if he doesn't make a threat to move the All-Star Game right off the bat, I think the commissioner should issue a formal denunciation of it" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/28).
