Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says he has 'respect' for those fighting Arizona's immigration law
Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, responding to criticism for his comments about Arizona’s crackdown on illegal immigration, released a statement Monday saying he has “respect” for those who are opposing the law.
“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,” he said in his statement.
“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.”
Activists 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
EDITOR'S PICKS:
People have the right to have any political stand! So what if he supports the bill! Most Americans want immigration action now.. and the ones that oppose it have not even read the bill!
What of what Phil said is wrong? Keep politics out of my basketball please.
BTW I am Mexican!
Posted by: YURI | May 17, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Hey Nativo Lopez, I'm ging to donate $1 for every point that Lakers make towards SUPPORTING the Arizona law...and I'm donating $2 for every point that Phoenix makes as well. Nativo, the more you protest the more you're disliked, so you're burying yourself. Nativo you're messing with the wrong crowd by interfering with the ALL-AMERICAN Basketball, Baseball, or Football fans.
Posted by: joe | May 17, 2010 at 01:29 PM
I don't think it is unfair for the U.S. to define who or who does not get into the nation. Sign the guestbook on the way in; this is a great country and only those who come here legally should be allowed to remain. The others don't respect our nation and should be deported if they are caught.
Posted by: Roger | May 17, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Phil is right: Americans want tougher immigration law enforcement. But he is going to be skewered by the left wing in California for telling the truth.
Posted by: Phyllis N. | May 17, 2010 at 01:41 PM
Leave sports alone. They don't mix.
Posted by: Duped Tax Payer | May 17, 2010 at 01:52 PM
Mr. Jackson can take any political stand HE wants..As long as THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS take another championship!!! He has a right to comment, be it negative or positive.
Posted by: Felecia Stewart | May 17, 2010 at 01:52 PM
Why are we mixing basketball and politics? A rally to know "the team and Phil Jackson's opinion on the law"??? Aren't there people better suited to answer questions about politics?
Posted by: Dayna | May 17, 2010 at 01:53 PM
I'm hispanic and I support the bill. Get off your political high horses and find a real job Nativo? How do you and other demonstrators find the time to rally at a Laker game? Tells me you have nothing better to do than to cause havoc and waste time. Get a life please.
Posted by: Ben | May 17, 2010 at 01:58 PM
IF Phil did not want to make this an issue, why did he say anything? I can not support a team that allows one of their key employees to make a statement of that nature. I guess I will be watching the Eastern Conference Finals only and will root for whom ever comes out of the east as champions. I hope Najera is out of Phoenix or he could get stopped on the way to his game. Go Celtics or Magic!!!
Posted by: Former Laker Fan | May 17, 2010 at 01:59 PM
So standing and singing the Star Spangled Banner before games, or the right-wing and completely revolting God Bless America during the seventh inning ISN'T political?
Posted by: jad | May 17, 2010 at 02:04 PM
from the same team that stopped holding their annual Fiesta for the Latino community and now this - tells you something. Phil is just the messenger.
Posted by: greg | May 17, 2010 at 02:05 PM
“We want to know the team and Phil Jackson’s opinion on the law,” Gonzalez said.
Why do you cared, Gonzalez, on what the team's or Phil Jackson's opinion is? If they said they are for the Arizona law, then you are going to form more rally to protest. If they said they are against the Arizona law, then you are still going to form more rally and claim that "hey, the Lakers supports us!". Either ways, you are going to form protest rallies so why don't you just leave the sport, the team, and Phil Jackson out of it and go form your rallies. Stop clinching on Phil's statement to stir up controversy and publicity. What a waste of time and energies!
Posted by: c.t. | May 17, 2010 at 02:08 PM
Mr. Lopez .......Phil have every right to his opinion just like you. If you have a problems with the Laker then go support the Clipper!
Posted by: Pau Sumner | May 17, 2010 at 02:10 PM
Goodness, how dare Jackson voice the opinion held by 73% of the American people, as reported by the 4 major national polling organizations.
NO, he must only voice the politically correct views of the activists.
Seldom do 4 national polls all report findings with such agreement.
Yet, Jackson is now made to cower and hide his true feelings.
Apparently the rights of "illegal" immigrants carry more weight that Phil Jackson's right to speak freely.
We know Jackson's true opinion. The same opinion held by most of us.
Even polling only Democrats, they found less than 45% opposed to the Arizona law.
Posted by: G. Dewll | May 17, 2010 at 02:11 PM
I'm sure most of the protesters would be hauled away by the INS if asked for ID. I as a Mexican American would not
have a problem to show my ID.
Posted by: Ltnlpe | May 17, 2010 at 02:14 PM
This Country is a wonderful mix of all heritages, including Latin/Mexican. That doesn't mean that we open our borders to invasion. I have heard varying numbers thrown around for the amount of people in this Country illegally. But in the places where there is a greater concentration of illegals, communities are going bankrupt taking care of them. For those Americans that are against the current immigration laws there are ways to have those laws changed. But turning a blind eye to the breakers of those laws is not the way to do it. When you do that you become part of the problem not the solution.
Posted by: marlena | May 17, 2010 at 02:14 PM
sports and politics DO mix! anyone remember the olympics of 1980 when President Carter threatened to boycott the Moscow games?
Posted by: Mexicano Y Americano y QUE! | May 17, 2010 at 02:15 PM
What happened to the idea of secret ballot? Why does everyone have to publicly display their opinions of their politics?
Posted by: richard | May 17, 2010 at 02:16 PM
Am I crazy or am I the only one that see's Phil Jackson's opinion on this issue is political? Yet, he doesn't want teams to get involved in political stuff. Phil I think, one part of your statement is true and it has nothing to do with immigration.
Posted by: Derek Gresse | May 17, 2010 at 02:17 PM
Too much talking on this issue. If you are here in the US illegaly, you should not be here...AND YOU AND YOUR SUPPORTERS SHOULD SHUT UP. Illegals do not have any rights to demand for anything. jeeeeesssshhhh!
Posted by: american pearl | May 17, 2010 at 02:19 PM
I'm adding my voice to the "keep politics out of sports" crowd. Same as what Phil is saying. Why did Adande even ask Phil political questions. Was it a setup?
Posted by: Imrubio | May 17, 2010 at 02:21 PM
There are over 161,000 signatures on Jan Brewers (Arizona Governor - JanBrewer.com) website showing their support for the initiative.....It has grown VERY rapidly....Bottom line is that Middle Class America wants it....Famous people don't have to deal with the issues illegal immigration creates so they are oblivious....On the other hand, the overwhelming majority of us are affected via employment, drain on social services, crime, etc......Our forefathers created the law for a reason....Let's keep it that way.
Posted by: Michael Curtis | May 17, 2010 at 02:33 PM
Lets see - Lakers Roster - Pau Gasol definitely hispanic, Sasha V. definitely not a citizen, Didier L. definitely not from the US of A, Jordan Farmar sounds arabic. Definitely better travel with their id cards when they're on the road in Arizona. Not a sermon, just a thought...
Posted by: DontGetIt | May 17, 2010 at 02:34 PM
“We want to know the team and Phil Jackson’s opinion on the law,” Gonzalez said.
Well Gonzalez, Phil Jackson has already voiced his opinion. But you didn't like it, huh? And if you want to know where team stands, why don't you ask the players yourself.
I hope Los Fans boycott the Laker games. It will be a PLEASANT change of crowd at the games.
Posted by: LA_Smiley_Brown_Face_in_a_Suit | May 17, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Politics and sports should be kept separate. Mixing them serves no one's interest.
Is should not matter, but since full disclosure seems to be the order of the day here: I am against the Arizona law. Oh, and I am a Laker fan.
Posted by: johnm | May 17, 2010 at 02:38 PM