Posted on May 7, 2010

Boston Officials OK Resolution to Boycott Arizona

Arizona Republic (Phoenix), May. 5, 2010

The Boston City Council approved a resolution Wednesday that urges the city to curtail economic ties with Arizona by pulling investments, ending city contracts and halting purchasing agreements to protest the state’s recently passed immigration law.

The resolution, passed by a voice vote, also asks city employees not to travel to Arizona for city business.

“We’re asking that the people’s money, the people of the city of Boston . . . that their money (not) be used to support something like this,” said Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, who co-wrote the resolution with City Council President Michael Ross.

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“We have many issues before us now,” said Ross. “But we have to take a moment to speak out against the erosion of basic and fundamental civil rights wherever it occurs.”

Ross said once city officials find out what investments Boston has with Arizona and Arizona cities, he might ask for a city ordinance to outlaw those investments.

Councilors said they had received a slew of angry calls from people–many of them prompted by area talk radio hosts–who support Arizona’s law.

Councilor Ayanna Pressley said some of those e-mails trying to persuade councilors to vote against the resolution were written in “the most harshest and offensive possible language.”

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Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles are considering similar measures.

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