Tonight is the MLB All Star game and there are major protests being held in Anaheim before the game. I've been involved from the beginning with many of the Latino and a lot of work has gone into putting all these ACTIONS together.
Today is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Anaheim, yet Arizona’s new immigration law is sending tremors through America’s favorite past-time. Two months after a coalition of major organizations, bloggers, and civil rights groups sent a formal letter to MLB commissioner Bud Selig, telling him it’s time to move the game out of Phoenix to protect the sport’s Latino players and fans who would be targeted under the Draconian new law, baseball fans from coast to coast have joined together in protest.
Bloggers like John Amato of Crooks and Liars and Maegan Ortiz of Vivir Latino have chronicled the mounting pressure to move. Sarah Spooner from Reform Immigration FOR America writes:
Players from both leagues will come together in Anaheim for an exhibition of sportsmanship and skill. But activists from CHIRLA and other organizations will also be in Anaheim, to show the world that baseball fans don’t want to see the sport tarnished. Next year’s game is planned to take place in Phoenix, AZ. Today an op-ed in the Washington Post laid out the case for why the 2011 game doesn’t belong in Arizona: Major League Baseball is scheduled to play its 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix, where discrimination and racial profiling will effectively be sanctioned by SB1070, Arizona’s controversial new immigration law. Unless the league acts, next year our favorite all-stars could enter a hostile environment, and the families, friends and fans of a third of the players could be treated as second-class citizens because of their skin color or the way they speak….
What is happening in Arizona is a regression from the freedoms we hold dear and a violation of our civil rights and fundamental values. We are not asking Selig to weigh in on immigration policy; we are asking him to take a stand against bigotry and intolerance.
So what exactly has Selig said on the record? ESPN has the story: Just what Selig might do is unclear. The only time he has addressed the issue of whether he should move the game was May 13, after he emerged from an owners’ meeting about various topics. He referenced his sport’s record on civil rights.
But while Commissioner Selig has remained silent, his players are speaking up and taking a stand. MLB super stars Albert Pujols and Adrian Gonzalez have spoken out against the law. "I'm opposed to it,” Pujols remarked, “How are you going to tell me that, me being Hispanic, if you stop me and I don't have my ID, you're going to arrest me? That can't be.''
AP reports 2010 All Star pitcher Yovani Gallardo took an even bolder stance, declaring, "If the game is in Arizona, I will totally boycott."
The AP continues: A year before Phoenix is set to host baseball's big event, the state's new immigration law kept drawing the attention of major leaguers. Kansas City reliever Joakim Soria, who leads the majors with 25 saves, said he would support a Latino protest and stay away. Detroit closer Jose Valverde can see himself steering clear, too. "It's a really delicate issue," said Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista, who leads the majors with 24 home runs. "Hopefully, there are some changes in the law before then. We have to back up our Latin communities."
Baseball has a rich history of leading the way in the civil rights struggles of our time. Let’s hope this time is no exception – it’s time for Bud Selig to break the silence and move the game.
Bud Selig as usual remains mum on SB 1070 and instead of acting like a true commissioner to the game of baseball, he acts entirely for the benefit of the owners. Some Latino players are going to be afraid to speak out today against the hateful law which is understandable, but many have not remained silent. Good for Yovani Gallardo and Albert Pujols. This also sets up a big problem for Tony La Russa, the Tea Party King and his star first baseman, Albert Pujols. LaRussa went so far as to highly praise the Tea Party fanatics.
La Russa told reporters he encouraged the presence of different points of view, and said he believed the Tea Party's stances were "correct" on "a lot of things."
Albert spoke out and opposed the law so it could get interesting. Also, Albert will be a free agent soon. here's another great article at ESPN: Immigration law looms over 2011 game
Protest Activities planned in Anaheim for today:
All Star Game Action
July 13th
Schedule12pm: Security Team – Meet at OC Labor Fed
1pm: Participants – Meet at OC Labor Fed∙
Address: 309 N. Rampart Street, Suite A, Orange, CA 92868∙
Parking available∙
Overview of action
2pm: Walk to Angel Stadium (about 2 blocks)
2:30pm: Arrive at Main Entrance of Stadium (inside parking lot)∙
2pm or 2:30pm: Stadium Parking gates open
3pm-6pm: Rally/Protest
5pm: All Star Game begins
7pm: Return to OC Labor Fed
It'll be peaceful, but fun so please get down there if you can.
