Back in May, when SB 1070 hysteria was at a fever pitch, Cuban-American rapper Pitbull jumped in the fray with both feet, canceling a show and issuing a statement in text-speak.
"I am canceling my concert in Phoenix on May 31," he wrote. "How is the country we enjoy and love bcuz of its human rights, freedom, opportunity and that has been built by immigrants, now start 2 deny them? It is contradicting 2 everything the USA stands 4."
Eh, Mr. 305 is over it now. Pitbull will play Celebrity Theatre Saturday, a reversal he apparently attributes to a judge putting most of the onerous parts of the law on hold.
"[N]ow with stipulations voiding some of the SB1070 law, Pitbull has decided to return to Arizona," says a statement issued by the theater.
As you may or may not have noticed, the SB 1070 boycott continues in (mostly) full-force. Zack de la Rocha, the former Rage Against The Machine singer who instigated the protest wrote an essay for Huffington Post last week explaining why The Sound Strike is not backing off.
What Governor Brewer and detractors of the boycott fail to realize is that the Arizona boycott is not just about SB 1070. The simple truth is attacks on migrants in Arizona didn't start with SB 1070 and won't end with the partial injunction granted to the Obama administration. It is time to end all federally funded partnerships such as the 287(g) program, Secure Communities and other ICE policies designed to marginalize and repress immigrant families and communities. Many of these policies are in the hands of President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary, and Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano; they can end the nightmare immediately. Until then, boycotters will continue to withhold tax revenue to racist and fear mongering state governments such as Arizona.
Is Zach right in saying the boycott of Arizona should continue until the federal government -- run entirely by Democrats at this point, much to the chagrin of the majority of Arizona voters -- changes its policies? Or is Pitbull right in saying that enough's enough, the worst parts of the law aren't in effect and bands should start playing The Grand Canyon State again? Is this the first crack in the walls of The Sound Strike or an outlier?
I'm staying out of this one. Vote with your mouse. You can get tickets for the show here or support The Sound Strike here.
