It has now been more than a year since Arizona began its assault on civil rights with the racial profiling law, SB 1070. In that time, dozens of Major League Baseball (MLB) players, members of the business community, and civil rights leaders have spoken out against the law. Players like Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista—the new all-time top vote-getter in the All-Star Game history—have both raised concerns with the law. Gonzalez told The San Diego Union-Tribune, “It’s immoral.” Indeed, the MLB Players Association itself issued a strong statement denouncing the draconian law.
Missing from the opposition to SB 1070, however, is a statement from MLB’s leadership, in particular Commissioner Bud Selig. This Tuesday’s 82nd Annual All-Star Game in Phoenix will serve as a painful reminder that Commissioner Selig chose to stay silent when he had the chance to stand up for his Latino players and speak out against Arizona’s racial profiling law.
Selig’s silence is deafening, but the Latino community will continue to make its opposition to this law and to his silence loud and clear. Today and tomorrow, one of NCLR’s grassroots partners, Unite Arizona (AZ), will be giving out white ribbons as a symbol of opposition to this law. Unite AZ will be outside Chase Field asking fans to don white ribbons in protest of SB 1070 and as a reminder to Commissioner Selig that baseball needs to exhibit leadership.
In addition, you can join NCLR and Unite AZ in changing your Twitter avatar and Facebook profile photo to a white ribbon from today through Tuesday night’s game. To change your Twitter avatar, visit our Twibbon campaign and follow the easy instructions. You can also download the image to the right to change your Facebook profile.
On Tuesday, NCLR and Unite AZ will also be asking their Facebook supporters and allies to donate their status to: “Arizona hosts the 82nd Annual All-Star Game today, and I stand united with the Latino community to remind MLB and Congress that racial profiling laws like SB 1070 threaten to divide, not unite, our nation.”
Selig still has time to break his silence and make a statement that calls attention to the issue. He could also wear a white ribbon in support of constructive dialogue about immigration. The choice is his, but he should remember that the Hispanic community has the choice to stop supporting a sport that will not stand with us.