The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of boycotting the State of Arizona over the state’s contentious immigration law, SB 1070.
Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Don Knabe voted against the motion, which was passed Tuesday night and contends the Arizona law violates:
– First Amendment right to freedom of speech
– Fourth Amendment right to freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
The motion does acknowledge that the Federal government has failed to enforce a fair and workable immigration law, but contends Arizona’s law will cause widespread racial profiling, subject foreign-looking persons and persons of color to unlawful interrogations, searches, seizures and arrests.
The board will now direct the County CEO William Fujioka to send a letter to Arizona’s governor Jan Brewer for an immediate repeal of SB 1070.
The passed motion will also:
– Suspend all travel to the State of Arizona for County business
– Directs the County Treasurer to review all investments in Arizona securities
– Review terms of all existing contracts with Arizona-based companies and which ones can be legally terminated
– Send a letter to President Obama urging immediate passage of comprehensive immigration reform
– Direct County Counsel to file an amicus brief in U.S. District Court challenging the constitutionality of SB 1070
– Refrain from entering into any new contracts to purchase goods or services from Arizona
Arizona’s SB 1070 specifically states that a law enforcement official or agencies may not consider race, color or national origin in the enforcement of the law.
The law also states that a peace officer may lawfully stop any person who is operating a motor vehicle if the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is in violation of a traffic law.
To read the full text of Arizona’s SB 1070, click here.
To read the full text of the LA County motion, click here.