Should immigration activists target pro sports with Arizona law protests? Tell us what you think

It started two weeks ago when Lakers' Coach Phil Jackson became the subject of criticism -- and a small protest -- for comments he made about Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Lakers coach seems to back the Arizona law, which compels police to check the immigration status of people they have stopped and suspect are in the country illegally. “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.

On Monday, protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium, where the Dodgers were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Holding placards that read, among other things, "Arizona Shame on You" and chanting "Boycott Arizona!", demonstrators marched up Elysian Park Avenue toward Stadium Way and assembled on the four corners outside the entrance to the stadium, walking back and forth across the streets.

Should professional sports be a part of the debate over the Arizona law? Share your views below.

Photo: Some protesters of the Arizona law say the 2011 All-Star Game should be moved from Arizona. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Greg Dougherty]

No, absolutely not! Arizona has done nothing wrong, I wish other states would have the guts to do whats right. I admire AZ for standing up for themselves and enforcing this law.

[John Whitmore]

Sports/Entertainment...is just that. They should never get involved in politics or any kind of political message. They get paid to entertain...and thats what they should stick to.

[DonJuan]

No, Politics and Sports dont mix

[Mike]

"Should professional sports be a part of the debate over the Arizona law?"
No.

[cap piller]

these people needs to simple go back to mexico.

[irrosey2]

4 comments so far, all no. Seems pretty obvious to us. Wish the Suns owner realized politics have no place in sports.

[charles]

Why target pro sports because they can. Never in the history of the world has a leader from one country gone to another to complain how the rejects from his country are being treated . Only in America will people protest not how bad their country is but how bad America is . Why dont they go home ? Oh thats right they are not allowed to protest there.

[Bitchie McSnit]

NO, this is not the platform. Arizona voted this in for a good reason.

[TheBigPicture]

These illegals are becoming very boisterous....We need to ship them south NOW.

[Stephany]

I'm the first generation in my immediate family to be American born. My parents came here illegally but work so hard as soon as they got here to make sure they got legalized. It's sad what has become of this country. Yes, America is the place everybody dreams of living in. The problem with that is not everybody that actually gets in here has the right dreams and the ambition behind them. The protesters don't seem to SEE or UNDERSTAND that half of the people that is here illegally have really just came here to do the same thing they do in there countries and that is BRING CHILD AFTER CHILD AFTER CHILD into this world without having the resources to provide to them everything they need! Those are the people I believe should be taken back because truthfully they are taken advantage of the system! Also, the criminals! Though it will be hard and expensive to filter the criminals, lazy, and the HARD WORKING people. I believe that small few should be given a chance to be here and continue as long as they show they deserve it because WE ALL ARE HERE BY PRIVILEGE! Whether your ILLEGAL ancestors fought in the revolution or came here illegally in the present time this country is a place that allows us to have dreams. Living here didn't, doesn't and will never come easily.

Now, what people that are FOR THE LAW need to SEE and UNDERSTAND HISPANICS are NOT the only race that is here illegally screwing up the country and taken advantage of it!! Many Americans act and do the same things they do. So what do you suggest be done to them???

Now lastly SPORTS has NOTHING to do with government and the decisions they make!!!
EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO THEIR OPINION
The protestors dont realize that APPERANTLY! haha
GO DODGERS!!! :-)

[Paul Revere]

I think these morons need to get a life. An illegal alien is not an immigrant but a Federal law breaker and should be treated as such!

[mexican american]

Who ever approves these comments thanks for being selective on comments looks like you just want to talk about mexians and not any other type of illegal

[Patricia]

This law is a travesty and it affects all of us as American Citizens...not just illegal immigrants. It is a slap in the face of all that is American. It is exactly what all enemies of America and a Free Democracy want...to divide us and breakdown our freedom and tolerance of different cultures. It is a racist law and many legal Hispanic and otherwise non-traditional legal citizens will be in danger of being harrassed and unlawfully detained. The law is too subjective and quite frankly, I am not ready to allow the racist/fear-based immigration mongers of this state to make those types of decisions. I know people are afraid, but this is NOT the way to solve our immigration problems. We might as well label all legal citizens like they did in Nazi Germany.

[jatt]

illegals don pay tax don pay social security.don have insurnce.this is putting too much pressure on da rest of us.the law is not about hispanics its about illegal aliens.so people shouls call this a racist law.