UPDATED: George Takei: Boycott Arizona if governor signs Gay Jim Crow law

[DonViejo]

Last edited Mon Feb 24, 2014, 10:37 AM - Edit history (2)

Source: Raw Story

By George Chidi
Saturday, February 22, 2014 17:02 EST

George Takei fired a virtual photon torpedo Friday at Arizona in a scathing letter addressing legislative passage of an anti LGBT law allowing for discrimination in services.

The “Razing Arizona” letter published on Takei’s blog calls for the LGBT community to boycott the state if it enacts the law, which passed the state House of Representatives on Thursday by a 33-27 vote, largely along party lines.

“This “turn away the gay” bill enshrines discrimination into the law,” Takei wrote. “Your taxi drivers can refuse to carry us. Your hotels can refuse to house us. And your restaurants can refuse to serve us. … You’re willing to ostracize and marginalize LGBT people to score political points with the extreme right of the Republican Party. You say this bill protects ‘religious freedom,’ but no one is fooled. When I was younger, people used ‘God’s Will’ as a reason to keep the races separate, too. Make no mistake, this is the new segregation, yours is a Jim Crow law, and you are about to make yourself ground zero.”

Takei notes in his letter that his husband Brad Altman and he have strong ties to Arizona. Altman was born in Phoenix, and the couple vacation in Show Low, Takei wrote.

-snip-



Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/22/george-takei-boycott-arizona-if-governor-signs-gay-jim-crow-law/

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Update:

Jeff Flake, Arizona Senator, Calls On Governor Jan Brewer To Veto Anti-Gay Bill

Posted: 02/22/2014 8:33 pm EST Updated: 02/22/2014 8:59 pm EST

Jeff Flake, Republican senator from Arizona, joined a chorus of critics against a state bill that would let businesses deny service to gay customers based on religious beliefs.

Flake tweeted that he hopes Governor Jan Brewer vetoes the bill.

Jeff Flake ✔ @JeffFlake
Follow

I hope Governor Brewer vetoes SB 1062

5:37 PM - 22 Feb 2014

The Arizona senate passed SB 1062 on Wednesday; Governor Brewer has five days from when the bill arrives at her desk to decide whether to veto it. If she does nothing, the bill will become law. Arizona Central reported that, as of Friday afternoon, the bill had not yet been delivered to Brewer.

###

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/22/jeff-flake-jan-brewer_n_4839600.html

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Ariz. Lawmaker Who Voted For Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill Now Wants It Vetoed

CATHERINE THOMPSON – FEBRUARY 24, 2014, 6:44 AM EST

The pressure is mounting on Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) to veto a disputed piece of legislation that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT individuals on the basis of religious freedom.

State Sen. Steve Pierce (R), who voted for the bill, now says it was a bad idea and wants to see the bill vetoed. “I screwed up,” Pierce told Capitol Media Services on Sunday. “I’m trying to make it right.”

The Republican lawmaker told the Prescott Daily Courier that he doesn't like the attention the bill has brought to the state, although he believes the purpose of the legislation has been misconstrued.

"I don't like the negative picture of Arizona, and I'm on board asking the governor to veto the bill," Pierce said.

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/arizona_lawmaker_steve_pierce_veto_antigay_bill

[Purveyor]

1. If this bill is signed, there needs to be a 'March on Arizona' with car, bus and

plane loads of protestors! I'd do my damnest to get out there.

This needs to be done...

[yurbud]

3. and everyone who goes should say they are gay

even if they aren't.

[another_liberal]

26. Precisely.

That is how to do it.

[Maynar]

33. I am Spartacus.

nt

[Voice for Peace]

36. +++

[merrily]

68. Exactly.

[Fearless]

74. +10000!

[DonViejo]

4. I agree. If need be, the State of AZ must become a much

larger laughing stock; taking any and all elected officials who permitted this outrage, down the toilet.

[Voice for Peace]

37. a gazillion rainbow march

[geomon666]

40. Indeed!

Mass civil disobedience is called for here.

[Hoppy]

48. WRONG !!!

There needs to be a march AWAY from Arizona if it becomes law.

[edbermac]

2. In the immortal words of your Trek compatriot Jean-Luc Picard...

Make it so!

[yurbud]

5. that's what he told Geordi when his sewing machine was broken.

[edbermac]

12. Groan...

[Ilsa]

76. I liked it.

But I have a quirky sense of humor. I like puns, too.

[lunasun]

6. Well Mr Takei it will not be the first time... it actually has occurred...

Boycotting AZ for business
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/05/13/20100513immigration-boycotts-list.html
Who is boycotting Arizona?

[yurbud]

78. besides people who don't want to burst into flames if their AC breaks down?

[Cha]

7. Brewer would be beyond stupid to sign it.. we'll

see.

thanks DV

[DonViejo]

9. Well?

I imagine there have been plenty of emergency meetings, frantic phone calls and lots of arguments since this bill passed. I'm curious to know where the two U.S. Senators from AZ stand on this, and what they counseled Brewer to do.

[Cha]

10. Of course, the only thing that gives me

hope that she won't sign it is..

Jan Brewer To GOP: Expand Medicaid Or I'll Veto All Bills

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jan-brewer-to-gop-expand-medicaid-or-i-ll-veto-all-bills

Victory For Brewer: Judge Tosses GOP Suit Challenging Obamacare Medicaid Expansion In Arizona

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/arizona-medicaid-expansion-lawsuit-jan-brewer-obamacare

Unless Jan is going to give the whiny despicable weasels this hate-filled stupid bill to assuage their lust for depravity. Quid Pro Quo or Not.

The Senators.. ah yes.. McCain and Flake.. Damn good question, Don!

[BlueCaliDem]

16. Flake has already called for Gov. Brewer to veto the anti-gay bill.

He did so in a tweet that I found on HuffPo.

Now it's McCain's turn . . .

[Cha]

20. Good! Thank you, BlueCaliDem..

[dflprincess]

22. Arizona businesses oppose the law

that's what gives me hope she'll veto it.

[Voice for Peace]

39. I think if she signs it, better for the cause.

These idiots would lose a ton of support from
many of their own voters. Human decency after
all.. one can go too far and even conservatives
understand this.

Republican Bigoted Arizona will shrivel under the
criticism scrutiny backlash; and Sane Progressive
Arizona will arise from the ashes.

[cntrygrl]

62. Hopefully, you are right!

[1StrongBlackMan]

43. Well, ...

Flake has called on the governor to veto it and I suspect McCain has problems with it, as well (but I haven't heard him comment).

On a related note ... It seems like the Arizona political right just doesn't learn.

The opposition to the holiday in Arizona was large, however, and the voters defeated the law at the polls. The NFL responded by making good on its threat to remove the Super Bowl from Tempe and held another vote, with Pasadena chosen as the site for the first time since Super Bowl XXI was played there six years earlier. Meanwhile, after having lost out on millions of dollars in revenue from the boycott of the state by entertainers and the loss of the Super Bowl, Arizona voters finally approved the MLK Day holiday in the 1992 elections and the NFL responded by awarding Tempe Super Bowl XXX at their 1993 meeting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXVII

Then there was SB 1070, (the immigrant harassment bill)

Businesses have lost lucrative contracts and conventions have relocated, performers called off concerts, and cities and counties in about a dozen states passed resolutions to avoid doing business with Arizona. A report released Thursday says the boycott has cost the state $141 million in lost meeting and convention business since Republican Gov. Jan Brewer signed the law in April.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/18/arizona-boycott-immigration-law-cost-_n_785417.html

Now ... where is next year's Super-bowl scheduled to be played?

[blkmusclmachine]

8. Just like FL and the other Stand Your Ground states, I will NOT ever step foot in AZ, or knowingly

do business with an AZ-based business.

Fuck AZ!

[Left Coast2020]

60. I had no choice to spend $$ there on gas and a hotel room

...when I drove through there 3 weeks ago. But I hear ya.

[George II]

11. No problem for me - I've been boycotting Arizona for about 20 years now.

[RoverSuswade]

13. I'd like to see this sign on doors of Arizona's businesses:

IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN, KEEP WALKING

[AAO]

14. Sorry, George, no can do.

I'm already boycotting that state because of numerous reasons.

[Zorra]

15. Yeh, everyone do it. We're floating the idea of a mass protest at the AZ Capitol

if Brewer signs the christo-fascist anti-gay bill.

[Voice for Peace]

38. Spring Break might be a great time

for a very colorful outdoor event of historic size and diversity

[Zorra]

49. Excellent idea, thank you so much!!!

[weissmam]

17. The GOP just kissed 75% of the poeple in this country under 40

GOODBUY!!!

[bkanderson76]

18. There's plenty of roads to take ya where ya want to go.....the one thru Arizona, i don't need.

[AlbertCat]

57. There's plenty of roads to take ya where ya want to go

Except of course if you want to go to the Grand Canyon.

[stg81]

19. I will maintain my current long-standing boycott

[merrily]

69. Arizona and a few other states have been on my boycott list for a long time.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

21. Quick! Someone corner McCain for a response!!!

You might find him in Lindsey Graham's bed.

[Loaded Liberal Dem]

23. Oh, my!

K&R

[Historic NY]

24. Maybe its time to boycott the bigots, once and for all...

every business they own, every product they make, and refuse to serve them for a change.

[Left Coast2020]

61. And the NFL should come out BIG on any future Super Bowl

That would speak VOLUMES as to how pissed people are.

And what aboout MLB?

But hey! If she does sign it, this could be her fall from grace in her re-election. Ya never know.

[davidpdx]

63. My understanding is there is a superbowl coming up in Arizona

If it's signed there needs to be an all out fight to get the NFL to move it. I think she knows Arizona will lose the superbowl if she signs it.

[another_liberal]

25. The "Hate wins votes" crowd has overreached this time.

Even if Brewer does veto this law (and I tend to doubt she will) the damage to Arizona businesses is going to be real and lasting.

[gopiscrap]

27. I fully agree!

[Vashta Nerada]

28. I agree with George.

K&R

[Galileo126]

29. Wanna piss of a war-mongering conservative?

Tell 'em that George Takei (as "Cptn. Nim&quot was in the movie "The Green Berets" (1968) with John Wayne.

They conveniently overlook that fact.

Heads exploding ensues... hilarious!

No really, try it...

[MrModerate]

30. I'll be asking my company if we'll be relocating one of our offices from Glendale . . .

Which employs approximately 2000 middle and upper-middle earners, if this law is signed by the governor.

The law is totally incompatible with our corporate policies and I don't see how we can continue residing there.

It'll be interesting.

[sellitman]

35. I'd be interested in knowing their reply.

Good luck!

[Fridays Child]

31. If Brewer signs it, how about boycotting Arizona businesses that support it?

I'm sure there is, or will be, a Facebook page listing businesses to patronize or boycott.

[plantwomyn]

50. American Express' corporate offices are in Phoenix.

[Fridays Child]

66. What?

Are you in the right thread?

[plantwomyn]

71. Yes.

American Express is one of the largest employers in Phoenix Arizona. They have a corporate non-discrimination policy. Exactly HOW welcome will their gay employees be in Phoenix and if they are not it is time for Amex to think about relocating.

[Fridays Child]

72. Okay. Thank you for clarifying. Good question. Did you see this, by the way?

https://www.facebook.com/peopleagainstazsb1062

[Tikki]

32. We already have been for years....

We go to Laughlin NV two or three times a year...Laughlin has grown large enough that
we never have to cross the Colorado anymore for anything...and we don't.

We leave our money in NV and CA...


The Tikkis

[jonjensen]

34. blockade not boycott

I have lived in arizona or nazi germany west as I call it for 55 years. Most of you are already boycotting arizona for voting down dr. king day. hb 1070 the anti immigrant bill now sb1062 saying gays are less then human beings and can be discrimated against. Republicans do not behave out of decency as they are not :but they will behave out of fear! Brewer may fear loss of super bowel and veto bill ;but if she alows it to pass then as malcolm X said by any means necessary! I have studied the republican fascist police state of arizona for many years searching for weak spots. The quickest non-violent way to stop bill is a human blockade of arizona's borders at its interstate highways nothing in or out at the same time a referendum to stop this bill from being put into law! A double strike that shows we mean business we must join gay and immigrant forces together to have the force of numbers. There may be shooting arizona racists are known for this including a yuma sheriff telling Cesar Chavez he would shoot him.

[TexasTowelie]

54. That might be a violation of the Constitution.

Some might argue that it's a violation of interstate commerce laws.

Welcome to DU!

[BadgerKid]

41. "God told me I should treat you differently.

And these people here agree with me."

That attitude NEVER causes problems.

[SmittynMo]

42. You go George!!!!

I've said it many times before. The GOP will never learn.

Remember after the 2012 elections and Mr Penis said the GOP must learn from their actions and make some changes. Well, hows that working for them? These idiots think they are supremacist and they rule the world. They'll never learn, and will continue to lose election after election. This is America, not Russia!!! The land of the free. They just keep putting more nails in the coffin each day. I think it's time these assholes move to a country that supports them.

God Bless America!!!!

[JayhawkSD]

44. Yeah, right. We tried that "Boycott Arizona" once before.

Oh wait. It worked rather well, and thay now have a Martin Luther King holiday. Okay, I'm on board.

(Heh heh, got you all steamed up with that title, didn't i?)

[olegramps]

45. I wonder if the governor will not veto it and not sign it, but allow it to become law.

In some ways I hope that she signs it since it could drive another nail in the Republican Party coffin. The Republican Party has become a downright evil pack of fascists. Their tactics are little different than those of the Nazis who created scapegoats to divert the citizens' attention from their thuggery.

[demigoddess]

46. I'm with George too

but if they sign this bill into law, they should have a provision in the law that says a company that will discriminate should have a sign in their window etc, to say they discriminate. That way, we can discriminate against them for it. If they are so proud of themselves they should be made to own it.

[47of74]

47. Target that explosion and fire.

[muntrv]

51. In response to bigoted legislation...

[muntrv]

52. Actually, do the opposite. All gays should visit Arizona and promote it as a gay pride hotspot.

See if all the businesses in AZ will really refuse money from "the gay."

[Warpy]

53. Most of DU is already boycotting

While Tucson and Flagstaff are great places to visit, there other vacation spots in the US that are at least as good.

However, while Jan Brewer is the governor there, none of us will venture in. In fact, we've had an influx of Hispanics into this state who have fled her bigotry, something we're quite happy for.

[RoccoR5955]

55. Like I said, "Don't screw with Sulu!" n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

56. Social media will get these bigots eventually...

Takei has a lot of straight followers, and I am one of them.

[Beartracks]

58. But why do those people have to flaunt their lifestyle right in our faces??

I'm referring to the Christian business owners, of course.



================

[jtuck004]

59. What if an NFL player is drafted and refuses to play for that team? Michael Sam is up, yes,

and AZ has a pro football tem?

Don't know or much care about football, just thinking of strategic possibilities and change...

[SeattleVet]

64. We were planning a multi-week motorcycle trip through AZ.

I had been there in the mid-80's and thoroughly enjoyed it, and wanted to go back and see some of it from the bike, with my wife on her bike. She's never been there, and I know that she would absolutely love Canyon de Chelly, Organpipe, and several of the other places that I enjoyed.

However, if Brewer signs this abomination we will definitely be changing our plans. There are a LOT of nice roads throughout the other states in the Southwest that won't have us traveling through, staying in, or spending a single dollar in Arizona.

(If we do go in into the state it will be a short day trip to reservation property to drop a few bucks there, where they will definitely do the most good. As long as we can get in and out without having to buy gas or anything off-res, we'll be OK.)

[Bombero1956]

65. my hope would be that she didn't sign it for the right reason

Because it's wrong to discriminate. But I think she won't sign it because there are dollars involved.

[Rstrstx]

67. Has Paul Babeu chimed in on this?

Just wondering

[merrily]

70. For those not already boycotting Arizona, George is correct.

[Loaded Liberal Dem]

73. Let's hope Goddell has the same balls as Tagliabue.....

who canceled a SuperBowl scheduled for Phoenix over Martin Luther King Jr Day. Well, guess where next year's SB is supposed to take place?

[Fearless]

75. K&R!

[randr]

77. I don't think her veto deserves any abatement of retribution

Arizona should be held forever as a pariah until they begin to advance human rights ahead of all.

[gejohnston]

79. I detest the law as well but,

it isn't the same as JIm Crow. This bill would allow discrimination, not mandate it. Jim Crow segregation laws mandated discrimination.