Protesters delay Diamondbacks-Reds game, ABC-9, September 16, 2010

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds game against Arizona Wednesday was briefly delayed in the top of the third inning when a young man and woman draped a sign over the center field wall protesting Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law.

Sarah Szekeresh and Daniel Moore are facing disorderly conduct charges for displaying the banner.

The white banner, which almost reached all the way down to the warning track, contained in black letters the message “Not in Arizona, Not in Ohio” with the words SB 1070 circled and a diagonal line through them — the international symbol for prohibition.

That is the number for the bill passed by the Arizona legislature and signed into law by Republican Governor Jan Brewer in April.

And a great shot from the Associated Press:

(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

A sign is displayed over the right field wall during a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, in Cincinnati. The game on Wednesday was briefly delayed in the top of the third inning when a young man and woman draped the sign over the center field fence protesting Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law.

If there’s one thing the Commissioner Bud Selig hates, it’s having baseball games interrupted.  Which is why — after repeated attempts to get his attention through traditional channels — MoveTheGame has decided to take our campaign inside the stadiums.

Everywhere the Diamondbacks play, protesters are running on the field and unfurling banners telling Bud Selig to Move the 2011 All-Star Game from Arizona.  Yesterday even saw a coordinated effort that was covered by CNN, AP, Washington Post, and others.  Yet Selig continues to remain silent, and with every passing day of inaction his legacy grows more tainted.  Tell him to join the 26 big leaguers who’ve come out against the law and pledge to move the 2011 All-Star game out of Arizona.

You can call his office here: (414) 225-8900

And in case you missed it, check out this video from last week’s action in Minneapolis:

Civil Rights Advocates Arrested for Trying to Deliver over 110 Thousand Petitions to MLB Commissioner Selig Asking to Move the Game out of AZ

National, local organizations demand Major League Baseball team owners put people before money

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, five civil rights advocates were arrested during their attempt to deliver over 110 thousand petitions to Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Bud Selig, asking him to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona.  The arrests occurred during this month’s quarterly MLB team owners’ Meeting in Minneapolis as advocates approached the meeting to hand-over the petitions.

“Today, we are at the MLB team owners’ meeting on behalf of more than 110,000 civil rights advocates and baseball fans who are calling on Bud Selig to keep America’s top pastime as a social institution,” stated Carlos Roa from Presente.org. “Instead of acknowledging our massive demand to protect civil rights, Commissioner Selig has refused for the second time to receive our petitions and has allowed civil rights advocates to get arrested during this peaceful action.”

In a clear recognition of the threat posed by Arizona’s anti-immigrant and racial profiling law SB 1070, MLB teams are providing trainings and identification cards to players in the event they are racially profiled or harassed in Arizona. Nonetheless, Commissioner Selig fails to state whether or not he would move the game out of Arizona. Numerous players, managers and coaches have already spoken out against the law, and several have said they will refuse to participate in the 2011 All-Star Game scheduled in Arizona.

The rally and protest is part of the national MoveTheGame.org campaign – a coalition of organizations led by Presente.org and MoveOn.org, which has coordinated several rallies, protests and other events across the country in reaction to Arizona’s passage of SB 1070.

“It is obvious that Commissioner Selig cares more about the profits of baseball than protecting the human and civil rights of players and fans. We won’t rest until Commissioner Selig and MLB team owners stand on the right side of history,” stated Roa.

# # #

Yesterday was the most recent in a series of actions that have taken our campaign inside the stadium. Representatives from Presente.org and PUENTE unfurled a banner at last night’s Diamondbacks game in Phoenix that read “Mr. Kendrick…Don’t Fund Hate. No SB1070″. In Seattle and New York, protestors have dropped banners and even run on the field to get Bud Selig’s attention. The Associated Press reported on last night’s story moments after it happened:

Diamondbacks-Nats game delayed after immigration law protest sign draped over wall
Associated Press, August 2, 2010

PHOENIX — The Nationals and Diamondbacks were delayed briefly Monday night when a fan draped a sign over the left-field wall protesting Arizona’s immigration law.

Plate umpire Angel Hernandez halted the game in the first inning when he saw the large sign addressed to Diamondbacks owner Ken Hendrick.

The sign read: “Mr. Kendrick … Don’t feed hate. Say no to SB1070.”

And in case you missed it, here is a photo from last week’s Mariners game:

This week has seen a number of new developments. In addition to the partial injunction of SB 1070, Michael Moore came out in support of moving the All-Star Game, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas put out a new video, and a growing list of musicians have signed on to the Sound Strike campaign — including Kanye West, Rage Against the Machine, Juanes, and others.

When asked by Larry King if he thought the All Star Game should be moved, Moore had this to say:

“That’s correct. I think it should not be played there. And I know a number of baseball players are going to boycott it, and I support that boycott.”

Protests (like this one in Seattle) are picking up steam across the country.  So when will MLB Commissioner Bud Selig step up to the plate?  He has a chance to keep baseball on the right side of history.  Call his Milwaukee office and tell him what you think: (414) 225-8900.

Phoenix, AZ

Press Conference and petition delivery to Ken Kendrick, Diamondbacks Owner.
WHEN: July 24, 5:00pm
WHERE: Chase Field | West Entrance, 4th Street & Jefferson
WHO: NDLON & Puente
Local Contact: Carlos Garcia: 520-248-1697 (Puente) | B. Loewe: 773-391-4668 (NDLON)

Seattle, WA

Demonstration outside of sold-out Mariners vs. Red Sox game, urging the Mariners organization and Mariners fans to call on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to move the 2011 MLB All-Star Game out of Arizona.
WHEN: July 24, 6:30pm
WHERE: Safeco Field | Center Field Gate, 1250 1st Avenue South
WHO: Washington Community Action Network / La Red Activa de Washington, Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, MEChA de University of Washington
Local Contact: María Guillén Valdovinos: maria@washingtoncan.org or 206-356-3500

Miami, FL

Petition and letter delivery to the Florida Marlins, asking them to take a stance against the 2011 All-Star Game.
WHEN: July 26
Local Contact: Juan Rodriguez: (786) 975-4658

San Francisco, CA

WHEN: July 28, 4:00pm
WHERE: New Federal Building (7th and Mission)
WHO: CRECEN and Dolores Street Community Services
Local Contact: Eric Quezada: equezada@dscs.org or 415-699-0270

Philadelphia, PA

WHEN: July 29, 5:00pm
WHERE: Citizen’s Bank Park | 3rd Base Gate (Corner of 11th and Pattison)
WHO: MLB Boycott Arizona
Local Contact: Caroline Osterman: 732-298-2403 | Michael Lee: 908-433-1383

Chicago, IL

Press conference and petition delivery to ask the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox to take a stance against the 2011 All-Star Game and move their spring training facilities out of Arizona.
WHEN: July 29, 11:00am
WHERE: City Hall
WHO: ICIRR
Local Contact: Steven Smith: ssmith@icirr.org or 773-444-9557

Atlanta, GA

Details to come.

San Diego, CA

WHEN: July 29
WHERE: Federal Building | 880 Front Street, San Diego, CA.
Local Contact: Enrique Morones: 619 269-7865 or enriquemorones@cox.net

Boston, MA

WHEN: July 29
Local Contact: Edwin Argueta: (617) 335-9501

Detroit, MI

Walk from Federal Building to Comerica Park.
WHEN: July 29, 6:00pm
WHERE: Comerica Park | East Gate Entrance, 2100 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226.
Local Contact: Elena Herrada: (313) 974-0501 or elenamherrada@gmail.com

New York, NY

WHEN: July 31, 5:00PM
WHERE: Citi Field (Mets-Willets Subway Station)
WHO: MLB Boycott Arizona
Local Contact: Caroline Osterman: 732-298-2403 | Michael Lee: 908-433-1383

On Monday, we showed up at the All-Star Game with more than 100,000 petitions for Commissioner Bud Selig. Selig chose to hide, but the media took notice, including the AP, USA Today, and numerous other outlets.

On the same day, prominent Latino ballplayers like Albert Pujols spoke out against SB 1070, and others like All-Star Jose Valverde are even pledging to boycott the 2011 All-Star Game.

We’re not going to stop until Bud Selig does the right thing. That’s why we’re planning ongoing actions over the next two weeks to keep the heat on Selig and the baseball owners he works for.

Our strength is in our numbers. Please check out the video from the All-Star Game petition delivery, then pass it on to your friends and family and help us get to 150,000 signatures!

Check out some of the coverage from this week:

All-Star Boycott Coming? Baseball Players Lash Out at Arizona Immigration Law
CBS News, July 13, 2010
With the All-Star Game set for tonight in Anaheim, opponents of Arizona’s controversial immigration law are spotlighting comments from Major League Baseball players opposing the law – including some who says they would boycott next year’s All Star game in Phoenix over the legislation. “I’m opposed to it. How are you going to tell me that, me being Hispanic, if you stop me and I don’t have my ID, you’re going to arrest me? That can’t be,” St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols told USA Today.
Read more

Albert Pujols vs. Tony La Russa on Arizona’s Immigration Law
The Atlantic, July 13, 2010
The best player in baseball and his manager don’t usually disagree, at least in public, but Arizona’s immigration law has changed all that: in a shocking and major political news development, Albert Pujols and Tony La Russa have taken opposite sides on SB 1070.
Read more

Gallardo would skip All-Stars in Arizona over law
Associated Press, July 12, 2010
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yovani Gallardo is firm. Even if he’s fortunate enough to make the All-Star team again next summer, he’ll skip it. “If the game is in Arizona, I will totally boycott,” the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher said Monday.
Read more

Immigration law looms over 2011 game
ESPN, July 12, 2010
ANAHEIM, Calif. — As Major League Baseball fetes the game this week by showcasing its best players, it faces a looming question just a state and a year away: Should it move the 2011 All-Star Game from Arizona, where a new immigration law has become a flashpoint in the nation’s long-standing immigration debate?
Read more

Activists outside MLB offices urge Bud Selig to take stand, move 2011 All-Star Game from Arizona
NY Daily News, July 9, 2010
Bud Selig should make Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente proud by yanking the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona, immigrant rights activists said at a demonstration outside Major League Baseball’s Park Ave offices Thursday.
Read more

Contacts:
Jorge-Mario Cabrera (562) 243-5559 or jmcabrera@chirla.org
Brandon Hatler (212) 691-2800 or hatler@sunshinesachs.com
Natali Fani (202) 787-1813 or natali@mateagroup.com

Advocates and Fans to Deliver One Hundred Thousand Petitions Calling on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to Move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona

WHAT: Press conference to deliver over 100,000 petitions from MoveTheGame.org to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to protest Arizona’s anti-immigrant and racial profiling law, SB 1070, and announce activities that will underscore call on Selig to move the 2011 All-Star game out of Arizona

WHEN: Monday, July 12, 2010 – 9:00a.m. PDT

WHERE: Anaheim Marriott Hotel (outside the front entrance), 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

WHO: Boycott Arizona – Los Angeles Committee, Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles; Center for Community Change; Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice; Orange County Dream Team; Orange County Labor Federation; Presente.org; SEIU-USWW; SEIU 721; SEIU 1877; and civil, faith, labor, education, and immigrant rights community advocates.
________________________________________

ANAHEIM, CA – Using the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star game as a backdrop, local Anaheim and other Southern California community and national civil, labor and immigrant rights organizations will hold a press conference on Monday to deliver over 100,000 petitions to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, demanding he move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona. The petition delivery is part of a national campaign – MoveTheGame.org – that has coordinated several rallies across the country to protest Arizona’s recent passage of the anti-immigrant and racial profiling law: SB 1070.

The advocates will also announce additional activities taking place during the week to pressure Commissioner Selig. The petition delivery is a direct response from the MoveTheGame.org campaign to Commissioner Selig’s refusal to consider moving the location of the 2011 game – this despite growing opposition to Arizona’s controversial new anti-immigrant and racial profiling law: SB 1070.

MoveTheGame.org – launched in May as a joint campaign led by Presente.org and MoveOn.org – has already gathered more than 100,000 petitions asking Commissioner Selig to move the 2011 All-Star Game. In addition to a series of rallies held as the Diamondbacks crisscross the country this summer, hundreds of movethegame.org supporters continue to pressure Selig and MLB by placing hundreds of phone calls into Selig’s offices.

The campaign is set to continue on Tuesday, when local and national civil, labor, faith and immigrant rights advocates will gather at Anaheim Stadium to educate fans of the MLB All-Star Game about the need to find an alternative location for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game if Arizona’s SB 1070 goes into effect. Details for this activity will be offered on Monday’s press event.

Many high-profile baseball players, coaches and executives – as well as those from other sports like basketball and football – have spoken out in recent months about the impact of the new law and their reticence to play in Arizona. Fans in cities across the country – including Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston – have staged protests in response to SB 1070.

# # #

Contact:  Brandon Hatler (212) 691-2800 or hatler@sunshinesachs.com (English)
Natali Fani (202) 787-1813) or natali@mateagroup.com (English/Spanish)

New York Joins National MoveTheGame.org Campaign to Demand that MLB Commissioner
Bud Selig Move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona

WHAT:           Rally to protest Arizona’s anti-immigrant and racial profiling law, SB 1070, and call on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to move the 2011 All-Star game out of Arizona

WHEN:           Thursday, July 8 – 12:00pm

WHERE:         Major League Baseball Headquarters: 245 Park Ave. (at 46^th Street), New York, NY

WHO:             New York Immigration Coalition; Presente.org; Other members and leaders of New York’s immigrant, religious, labor, and civil rights communities

________________________________________

NEW YORK – As pressure mounts on Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Bud Selig to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona, New York community and immigrant rights groups will rally Thursday outside the MLB headquarters. The protest is part of a national campaign – MoveTheGame.org – that has coordinated several rallies across the country to protest Arizona’s recent passage of the anti-immigrant and racial profiling law: SB 1070.

The protest is a direct response from the MoveTheGame.org campaign to Commissioner Selig’s refusal last month to consider moving the location of the 2011 game – this despite growing opposition to Arizona’s controversial new anti-immigrant and racial profiling law: SB 1070. MoveTheGame.org – launched in May as a joint campaign led by Presente.org and MoveOn.org – has already gathered more than 100,000 petitions asking Commissioner Selig to move the 2011 All-Star Game. In addition to a series of rallies held as the Diamondbacks crisscross the country this summer, the group will continue to pressure Selig and MLB with different organizing tactics throughout the season.

Many high-profile baseball players, coaches and executives – as well as those from other sports like basketball and football – have spoken out in recent months about the impact of the new law and their reticence to play in Arizona. Fans in cities across the country – including Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston – have staged protests in response to SB 1070.

# # #

You can read more about The New York Immigration Coalition here.