The "warning" basically states that travel to Arizona could lead to racial profiling. The Arizona Chapter of the ACLU has stated they already have had reports of "profiling" and wanted to get the warnings out before July 4.
Except, the law does not go into effect until July 29.
Further, it would seem that this is nothing more than a publicity grabbing, misinformation campaign.
First- As an Arizona native, I can say with 100% conviction that my facts are accurate in that JULY is likely NOT Arizona's best month for tourism. With the exception of parts of Northern and Eastern Arizona the state is HOT during July (and many from the North or East would say Northern and Eastern Arizona are too hot for them). July is the start of the monsoon, the lower elevations are not only HOT (115 in the shade) but also MUGGY, with a good amount of humidity and rain. The fall and winter are MUCH bigger tourism months for the state, with the influx of the seasonal "snow-birds."
(With that said, I have been 'home' to Phoenix in July and August, and I think the weather is fine-- although the kids thought it was hot. One of them dropped a Crayon on the asphalt when we went to visit the zoo and was suprised to see a puddle of molten wax when we returned to the car!)
Second- SB1070 is a SECONDARY offense-law. You cannot be stopped unless you are violating another law! This is no different from secondary seat-belt laws- you cannot get "pulled over" for not wearing your seat-belt. You can only get a ticket, if you are "pulled over" for something else. (With that said, Kansas just made not wearing a seat-belt a "Primary" offense).
Third- 1070 DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL JULY 29!!!! WHY warn people on July 4th, unless it is to get press attention?
Personally, as a Native of Arizona, I would say we don't want the ACLU in Arizona to start with, so I suggest that you, the members of the ACLU, follow your own warning and STAY OUT of Arizona…
The Governor's office was a bit more polite:
"The legislation includes very specific language that makes it abundantly clear that racial profiling is and will continue to be illegal in Arizona," Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said. "Instead of spreading fear, hate, and disinformation about the legislation, it would be helpful for the ACLU to instead join Governor Brewer's demand that the federal government stop discussing and begin implementing an honest plan to secure our nation's border.".
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