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TIRRC is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration whose mission is to empower immigrants and refugees throughout Tennessee to develop a unified voice, defend their rights, and create an atmosphere in which they are recognized as positive contributors to the state.

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« BREAKING: TN Legislature Commends Arizona Racial Profiling Bill As Companies Take Business Elsewhere | Main | TN Flood Resource List (WORKING) »
Monday
May242010

TN House Considers Resolution Praising Arizona for Racial Profiling

Unfortunately, on Monday afternoon, TN Legislators passed resolution HJR 1253 commending Arizona for mandating racial profiling into law. For more information, click here.

 

At 4pm today, Tennessee legislators will consider a resolution (HJR 1253) commending Arizona for SB 1070, a state law that mandates racial profiling by requiring police officers to interrogate anyone who looks or sounds foreign-born. The impact of this otherwise meaningless resolution is to send a message about TN's position in an increasingly volatile national debate. Unfortunately, this message comes on the heels of a nationwide economic boycott of Arizona, which has cost the state significantly in terms of tourism, income, and reputation. 

Since the passage of SB 1070,  at least 23 tourist events have been cancelled in Arizona, costing the state between $6 and $10 million. Economists estimate that between implementation costs of the law and lost economic activity, the negative impact of SB 1070 will exceed $1 billion. Here are some notable examples of the backlash:

  • San Francisco and St. Paul have banned public employees from traveling to Arizona on business. Los Angeles, and Oakland are considering similar actions. (source)
  • Boston, New York, San Diego, and other cities passed boycotts or resolutions condemning Arizona, with considerations to future economic action. (source)
  • Gov. Rick Perry of Texas (R-TX) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) joined other conservative governors condemning the law, and refusing to sign similar legislation if introduced in their own states. (source)
  • Just last week, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon announced that his city was facing a "near economic crisis" because of SB1070 and the subsequent national boycott. A study was presented to the city council which estimated that Phoenix stood to lose upwards of $90 million dollars, in a worst case scenario. (source)

As more and more businesses decide that they are unwilling to support such a racially divisive law or subject their employees to it, many are wondering why Tennessee would associate itself with such a dangerous and costly measure. For critics, mandating racial profiling is a step backwards for the United States, a country that prides itself on our shared values of equality and fairness.

Contact Your TN Representative Now and Tell Them: We are Not Arizona