PHOENIX - Opponents of Arizona's new immigration law hope to attract 50,000 people for a protest march on Saturday - an estimate former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez said is justified despite the nominal turnouts at prior protests against the law.
Gutierrez said passage of a string of tough laws targeting immigrants over recent years and heavy-handed enforcement by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have tempered people's willingness to speak out publicly.
But he said the threat of SB 1070 "changes all that."
March organizers also announced the first four Arizona companies that will be targeted for boycotts, selected, Gutierrez said, because officers from all four have a record of contributing to Republicans who backed SB 1070.
The march from midtown Phoenix to the Capitol isn't the only event in the valley Saturday centered on the new law.
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Backers of the legislation, operating under the banner of Stand With Arizona, plan their own rally Saturday evening at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Speakers include Arpaio, Mark Spencer of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and supporters of a "buy-cott" urging people to come to Arizona to show support for the law.
"The purpose is just to show that we stand solidly in the corner of Arizona's right to stand as an independent state and enforce the laws that are already on the books," said Gina Louden, founder of the national buy-cott campaign.
She said SB 1070 simply clarifies that state and local police have the same power to check someone's immigration status as do federal officers.
Carole Bartholomeaux, spokeswoman for Stand With Arizona, said they expect 10,000 to attend. She said there are no plans by supporters of SB 1070 to counter-demonstrate against foes during their march.
Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Labor Organizing Network, said there is a need to focus attention on Arizona because the state, "has become the testing ground for the most draconian anti-immigrant legislation in our country," driven by an immigration debate that "has been polluted with hate and poisoned by bigotry."
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said those who are not in the state cannot imagine the fear the new law has created. "You can feel the fear once you get off the airplane," she said.
Companies organizers said will be targeted with boycotts are:
• Hensley and Co., owned in part by Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, which distributes Budweiser products in Central Arizona. Gutierrez cited the senator's stance on tightening the border and political contributions by CEO Robert Delgado to those who support SB 1070.
Although the boycott targets Hensley specifically, officials of Tucson-based Golden Eagle Distributing, which handles Budweiser products in Tucson, Globe, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Flagstaff and Show Low, are concerned about a spillover impact, even though the two companies have no affiliation other than a common product line.
"Employees and jobs are ultimately affected by boycotts, which aren't good for anyone," said Golden Eagle spokeswoman Michelle Garcia-Estrada
• The Arizona Diamondbacks, based on what Gutierrez said has been team owner Ken Kendrick's support of those who back SB 1070.
• Frito-Lay, because of its sponsorship of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Gutierrez said Fiesta Bowl officials also have given money to SB 1070 supporters.
• Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches based on the founder's support of Arpaio.
A spokeswoman for Jimmy John's declined to comment. Calls seeking comment from the other companies were not returned.
