MLB Players Condemn Arizona Immigration Law, Threaten 2011 All-Star Game Boycott

[Confederate Kahanist]

http://www.personalliberty.com/news/mlb-players-condemn-arizona-immigration-law-threaten-2011-all-star-game-boycott-19890742/





Arizona’s controversial new immigration law was a major topic of conversation in the sports world earlier this week, with several prominent athletes speaking out against the statute during Major League Baseball’s All-Star game festivities.

National League pitching star Yovani Gallardo, a Mexican native, told reporters on Monday that he will boycott next year’s mid-summer classic if the game remains in Arizona.

Meanwhile, Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Valverde—who was born in the Dominican Republic—told the Arizona Republic that the law is "the stupidest thing you can ever have."

"Nothing against Americans, but us Latinos have contributed so much to this country," he added "We get our hands dirty and do the work gringos don’t want to do. We’re the ones out there cleaning the streets. Americans don’t want to do that stuff."

However, not all members of the MLB community are condemning the new law, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 29.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he supports the measure, which would give Arizona law enforcement the right to ask for identification from those who they "reasonably suspect" of being an illegal alien.

"I’m actually a supporter of what Arizona’s doing," he said, quoted by Fox News. "The national government doesn’t fix your problem, and you’ve got a problem, they’ve got to take care of it themselves."

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has yet to comment on the law or the status of next year’s All-Star game, which is still scheduled to be played in Arizona.