Activists protest Lakers Coach Phil Jackson's comments on Arizona's new immigration law

 Activists outraged at comments made by Lakers Coach Phil Jackson that seem to back Arizona’s controversial new immigration law plan to rally outside Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles before Monday’s playoff opener against the Phoenix Suns.

“The way we look at it, Phil Jackson is supporting the Arizona law,” said Mario Gonzalez, a longtime Lakers fan and rally organizer. “That’s surprising. It caught us off guard. We want to find out where the team stands on the law.”

John Black, the Lakers' vice president for public relations, did not respond to telephone messages seeking comment.

Sparking the furor are remarks made by Jackson to ESPN.com columnist J.A. Adande in which the Lakers coach seems to back the incendiary Arizona law, which allows local police to check citizens documents and arrest them if they don't have them.

“Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard [the legislature] say, ‘We just took the United States immigration law and adopted it to our state?’” Jackson said of the Arizona statute.

The Lakers coach then disputed the columnist’s assertion that Arizona legislatures had “usurped” federal immigration law -- an allegation widely made by critics who say the law could lead to racial profiling of Latinos.

Supporters say the state law complements federal statutes and deny any intent to target Latinos.

“It’s not usurping” federal law, Jackson replied, adding that the Arizona lawmakers “gave it some teeth to be able to enforce it.”

Jackson, long known as a free spirit who in Adande’s words “has showed lefty leanings in the past,” also seems to chastise the Suns’ management for its criticism of the Arizona law.

The Suns’ owner and several players have publicly criticized the statute.

“I don’t think teams should get involved in the political stuff,” Jackson told the ESPN.com columnist. “If I heard it right, the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I’m not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”

Gonzalez, the protest organizer, said Monday’s rally was not meant as a call to boycott the Lakers or root against the L.A. squad in its push to repeat as league champions. Rather, he said, the action is aimed at condemning Jackson’s apparent support for the Arizona law and clarifying Lakers management’s opinion on the matter.

“We want to know the team and Phil Jackson’s opinion on the law,” Gonzalez said.

Supporters of the rally said they wanted to give Jackson and the Lakers the opportunity to clarify their position on the Arizona law. Activists voiced the hope that both the Lakers and Jackson would follow the Suns’ example and come out against Arizona’s plan.

“We want to give Phil Jackson the benefit of the doubt,” said Nativo Lopez, head of the Mexican American Political Assn. “There are nuances here that Phil Jackson perhaps is not familiar with. He’s an expert at basketball but not at immigration law.”

-- Patrick J. McDonnell

Photos: KTLA News; L.A. Times file

Comments

[Bruce]

Good for Phil for standing up against the hysterical lies about the bill

[Justin Case]

How about the FACT that California has the same law!? WHAT!?? That's right.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/watercooler/2010/may/15/audio-interview-la-city-councilman-attacks-ariz-la/

I live in PHX, but I LOVE my Lakers.

[I LOVE LA]

Didn't Nativo Lopez get arrested for voter fraud? And he is one of the leaders the protest against the Lakers. Nice.

[MadMommy4u]

Why can't people be on the side of the citizens of the United States? We want strong borders and law abiding citizens to support the rule of law here. What's wrong with that?

Seems that supporters of boycotts and Latino activists just want to break any law in this country with impunity. That's just wrong and if that's what you call being an American, you're mistaken. Americans follow the laws and if a cop stops us and asks us for ID, you better believe I'll show them mine, as will any American. That's not racism, that's the law.

[JMcB]

Maybe I'm missing something, but Phil Jackson seems to capture my understanding of the Arizona immigration law. Why is it an outrage for law enforcement officials to identify those who entered our country illegally?

[jessie]

Go Phil. Whats the point of having the law and not following them oh yeah just because their latino we should bend the law for them... yeah right!

[Danielle]

If I remember correctly, we still have freedom of speech in this country. Phil Jackson is entitled to his own opinion, and should be able to speak freely without groups coming out and trying to strong arm him.

[John Q Citizen]

I want to thank Phil Jackson and the Lakers for staying clear of politics.

I'm in favor of Arizona taking State action to protect the citizens of their State, and feel that a boycott of the State is not warranted.

Any boycott is a largely symbolic and wrong headed act since 70% of Americans want our border secured.

The importation of drugs, human smuggling, gangs, kidnappings, forced prostitution, extortion and murder of Mecican & American citizens must stop.

I feel sorry for the poor people who die and are victimized every year while attempting a very harrowing, very dangerous trek through the desert.

I understand that most of these folks are good, honest, hard working folks who are being victimized by coyotes and drug gangs.

A reasonable border presence and the enforcement of our laws helps us all.

I want to thank the Laker Organization for not buckling to politically correct politics. I appreciate that you have not injected your business into a political issue

I feel that the citizens of the State of Arizona have the same right to deal with their business as the Lakers do. I haven't been to a Laker game since you left the Forum but I'm definitely coming next season!

Good luck tonight against Phoenix!

AJ
Acton, Ca

[Mike]

As to the photo accompanying the story: Folks, it's not "Los" Lakers. It's the L.A. Lakers. Once you get something as simple as that correct -- rather than taking what was a marketing ploy-inch and turning it into a "strike a blow for latinos everywhere"-mile -- then you might see how Americans turning a blind eye toward letting some illegal border crossers over to work for a little while and then go home does not necessarily translate into our allowing for a complete invasion and occupation of the United States of America by people now trying to dictate immigration policy.

[BartA]

Yeah, well this is someone who makes like eight million dollars a year coaching basketball and spends his time with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Jeannie Buss etc.I don't believe that he is in touch with the challenges folks from the middle class or, the poor face. And why in the world would he opine on this subject at this point in time? His time would be better spent figuring out what his Plan B is after Steve Nash shreds Derek Fisher.

[Hammer]

That's great Linda Andy, but does it give both sides of the story? I presume it goes with the well-worn theory that illegal immigrants do jobs that Americans don't want to do, and that they do them cheaper and that leads to lower food prices, etc. This is true. Does it also explain how health-care costs skyrocket, because uninsured illegal immigrants go to the emergency room every time they have a cold? Does it explain how car-insurance costs skyrocket because of all the uninsured illegal-immigrant drivers?

I'll gladly pay $5 more for my fruit every week if I, or a family member, doesn't have to wait an hour the next time there's a medical issue.

[Tim]

Protesters making something out of nothing...what a surprise.

If you can comprehend what Phil said, it wasn't related to his views on the law a all but rather that the debate has no place in basketball. And you know what? He's right.

[John, Newport Beach]

I submit my nomination for Phil Jackson for Governor of the great state of California.

[Al]

1.I do not support this law.
2.Phil should be able to speak his mind , without any consequences for him and if somebody does not understand the concept of free speech in this country should pack up and leave.

GO LAKERS.

[Gene Venable]

He has a right to his durned opinion. I disagree with it, but so what?

[repo4sale]

Jackson is an American! Are you? If not go back before we arrest you! You are a felon! Go back or go to jail! There! My name is Phil Jackson & I support the law!

[MICHAEL WHITE]

Leave the mann alone, already! Look, I don't see Mexicans protesting the poor economic policies of Mexico? Why not? If you want to clean something up, start with your home!!

[repo4sale]

RE: “We want to give Phil Jackson the benefit of the doubt,” said Nativo Lopez, head of the Mexican American Political Assn. “There are nuances here that Phil Jackson perhaps is not familiar with. He’s an expert at basketball but not at immigration law.” Aha! And you Nativo are an expert on immigration law? Highly doubt it.

You break the laws of this country - you are a criminal. The only problem is that these weenies in Fed can't and don't want to control the borders in lieu of their own self preservation.

I'm done with all the protests! How about you protest breaking the laws, gangs, murders, drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, lack of education, inability to speak English, having 10 kids per family, sucking up the resources of the taxpayers. How about that?

[Confused Citizen]

I am glad that Phil Jackson stood up and said whou canat he did. He was right. What other country can you go to without the correct documentation and stay? The idea that people can just come here illegally from any other country and stay here is ludicrous. We are the nicest country in the nation. We let any and everybody come here without any questions. We make it easy for them to stay here. When they get upset about our rules and policies, we bend them as not to upset our illegal visitors. Our country needs to get stronger like the other countries out there.

[shawn]

What is wrong with this countryt? People enforce the law and get nail.

[Tim]

Protesters making something out of nothing, what a surprise. If you can't comprehend what his statement was without reaching to relate it to your cause, how do you expect anyone to take you seriously?

If you're confused, he said nothing about his or the Lakers organization's beliefs about the law, only that he doesn't think that the debate shouldn't take place on the basketball court. And you know what? He's right.

[SNL]

whats to boycott? the man has an opinion...and it happens to be an opinion that the majority of the country holds. The only reason this is blown up is because news outlets like the LA Times give more of a voice to the illegals and their supportors than the majority of Americans that support Arizona. Face it..Arizona is sticking to their guns. They are the ones dealing with the murders, kidnappings, and crime. BTW.....MEXICO'S IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE EXTREMELY TOUGHER THAN OURS. idiots!!

[D Lara]

This is so rediculous! Phil Jackson and the Lakers don't owe anyone an explination on any views or opinions they may have on the Arizona law. I'm mexican, born and raised here in California, speak only english. I'm all for inforcing the law. IF YOU DON'T BELONG HERE, CAN'T LEARN THE LANGUAGE, AND ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY, GET THE HELL OUT!! GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

[J. Galt]

Go JACKSON!! Go LAKERS!!! I SUPPORT AZ AND THE LAW!!

[Ted]

Neil S - it is you who appears to be ignorant! If you are pulled over for a traffic violation and don't have a drivers license or other valid ID that would be a reason to check your status. Or if you are arrested for a robbery, mugging, murder etc more reason. So maybe you are the bigot or unable to see logic!