Immigrant rights groups protest All-Star Game in Arizona
Outside Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., which will host the MLB All Star Game. (Photo by Flickr user Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale (cc))
Story from Here and Now. Use audio player above to listen to full report.
In addition to protesting the All Star-Game, immigration rights advocates are also asking the MLB’s several Latino players to boycott the game in response to Arizona’s law, which they say is “divisive, hate-based legislation.”
One player caught in the middle of the controversy is Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox. Initially Gonzalez, who is a Mexican-American born in San Diego, CA, was outspoken against the law, and said he would skip the game. Now, he is scheduled to play as the starting first baseman, and contrary to previous statements, he plans to play.
Gonzolez later clarified that he would abide by the decision of the Players Union, which opposes the law, but doesn’t call for players to boycott the game.
Enrique Monroe is the founder of the immigration rights group Border Angeles and former director for Hispanic marketing for the San Diego Padres baseball team. He told Here and Now’s Robin Young that he is outraged by Gonzalez’s change of mind.
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