Last Friday I reported on an Orange County (CA) blogger asking his readers to join him outside of Staples Center before the Lakers-Sun playoff game Monday to protest Phil Jackson’s comments about the new Arizona immigration law.
(Hey 3% of L.A., Phil Jackson’s talking to you!)
Local Latino activist Nativo Lopez has since joined the fray, inducing the LOS ANGELES TIMES into a blog post about the pregame protest tonight.
For the unfamiliar, Lopez is our very own version of Al Sharpton. While the professional activist isn’t quite the showman Sharpton is, I’m proud to report that he can still be quite entertaining. Along with every bit the opportunist.
Though the legal Mexican-American immigrant community isn’t nearly as flattering in its assessment of Lopez, who most locals recognize as a complicit pawn for the Mexican government.
So with the L.A. Times and Lopez on board for the modest pre-playoff game protest, Jackson released a statement today that hedged his position on Arizona’s SB 1070 while reiterating his hope that politics can be extracted from the upcoming series.
“I’ve been involved in a number of progressive political issues over the years and I support those who stand up for their beliefs. It is what makes this country great.
I have respect for those who oppose the new Arizona immigration law, but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies.
This was the message of my statement. I know others feel differently, even in the Lakers organization, but it was a personal statement. In this regard, it is my wish that this statement not be used by either side to rally activists.”
What’s fueling the opposition to SB 1070 here in Los Angeles has little to do with the law. As our esteemed Attorney General proved last week, most haven’t read SB 1070. This is all about supporting law enforcement on an issue that has adversely impacted much of the population in Arizona and SoCal. There’s no better example of that than Jackson’s stance on the newly-passed bill.
The Lakers Coach is a noted liberal who normally would side with Latinos when it came to social issues. But in this case, Jackson is on the side of law enforcement, as are the vast majority of Los Angeles Times readers - as I noted last week:
I don’t begrudge Lopez’s right to protest in this instance, and Jackson should’ve known better than to accuse the Suns of politicizing the issue after doing the same himself.
It’s in Lopez’s job description to capitalize on anything that could be construed as racism. So don’t be deceived, whatever protest ensues tonight outside Staples Center tonight has little if anything to do with SB 1070.
3:49 pm on May 17th, 2010
this story is so f***in annoying, the man is entitled to his own vote and his own opinion. I am a male 26 year old mexican american and I have been a Laker fan all my life. These politicians or the mexican Al sharpton needs to shut the f*** up. It’s not a California law.
4:45 pm on May 17th, 2010
I think the funny thing is Nativos real name is Larry.
6:08 pm on May 17th, 2010
Didn’t Mr. Lopez read between the lines of what The Zen Master was saying?
“Sports has no business getting into politics” is what Phil was saying. He’s not racist, nor was he endorsing the bill.
It’s discouraging that individuals like Mr. Lopez decided to react towards Jackson, and not read what Jackson’s statement is. Being that misguided is a weak excuse.
12:24 am on May 18th, 2010
who pays lousy i mean lopez…how does he earn
1:50 am on May 18th, 2010
On June 25, 2009, Lopez was charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office with four felonies: fraudulent voter registration, fraudulent document filing, perjury and fraudulent voting. Lopez allegedly leased office space in Boyle Heights and registered to vote using that address although he lived with his family in Orange County. It is further alleged that Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Assn., cast an illegal ballot in L.A. in the 2008 presidential primary. If convicted, Lopez could serve up to three years in prison.
11:30 am on May 18th, 2010
Keep politics out of the ballgame. Phil is right.
They are going to be real busy picketing anyway as the AZ law makes it way quickly (because people want it) to other states.
If you are legal, you got nothin to worry about.
10:04 pm on May 19th, 2010
I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.
I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!
Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.