Seems there's there's no room at the posada for former state Senate President Russell Pearce.
Yesterday, I gave you a rundown of the nativist goons set to appear at Macayo's Mexican Restaurant on Central Avenue tonight for a fundraiser to benefit Pearce, a veritable who's who of anti-Mexican bigots in the Arizona Legislature, who worship every boil that appears on Pearce's gnarly noggin.
But when Latino consumers and activists got wind of it, la lucha was on, with some activist groups calling for a boycott of Macayo's, while others promised protests at the haters' picnic, scheduled to occur from 4:30 to 7 P.M.
Once Macayo's learned that demonstrators would be ringing their building and Latinos were ticked that their tormentor-in-chief, the author of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, Sand Land's breathing-while-brown statute, would be bellying up to Macayo's table for a big ol' plate o' carne asada, Macayo's canceled the event.
Emily Lamar in Macayo's marketing department confirmed the cancellation, promising that a statement from the company's CEO would be forthcoming.
"We're in the food business," Lamar explained, "not [the] politics [business]."
(She also promised that the event was not being held at one of the other Macayo's around town.)
So the Pearce camp went shopping for another cocina to invade, and decided upon the venerable Oaxaca Restaurante y Cantina on Van Buren in the heart of Phoenix.
Pearce even sent out the e-mail below informing his pals of the new locale, but when Oaxaca's management discovered what was in the works, it closed Pearce down faster than you can say "racial profiling."
Briana Rodriguez, a manager at Oaxaca, said the reservation was "shady" from jump, with a woman named "Jesse" calling in this a.m. to book the party, without telling Oaxaca the nature of the affair.
Once Rodriguez and her co-workers found out that none other than the anti-Latino Emperor Palpatine would be setting foot in their business, they put the kibosh on the fundraiser.
"I don't know why they're trying to have it at a Mexican restaurant," Rodriguez told me. "But we serve the Latino community. Most of our staff is Latino. And we do not support SB 1070. It would be an insult to our ancestors to allow them to come here."
Where's Pearce's next stop on the hunt for some chile rellenos and a margarita?
Pearce-foe Mary Rose Wilcox's El Portal certainly is out of the question...unless Russ is hankerin' for a spankin'.
I don't know, but whoever takes him in -- Mexican eatery or not -- better hope the Latino community doesn't find out.
BTW, I called the number Rodriguez gave me for "Jesse," but the woman answering as such essentially played Peter and denied Pearce three times, telling me that I must have the wrong number.
Below is the e-mail blast Pearce sent out a couple of hours ago:
TODAY!
Please join
Senator Sylvia Allen · Senator Frank Antenori · Senate Andy Biggs · Senator Judy Burges · Representative Chester Crandell · Representative Eddie Farnsworth · Representative John Fillmore · Representative David Gowan · Representative Rick Gray · Representative Peggy Judd ·Representative John Kavanagh · Senator Lori Klein · Representative Debbie Lesko · Representative Nancy McLain · Senator Al Melvin ·Representative Steve Montenegro · Representative Justin Olson · Representative Terri Proud · Senator Steve Smith · Representative Michelle Ugenti
For a fundraising reception honoring
Russell Pearce
in his campaign for election to the Arizona State Senate.
Thursday, June 14th
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Oaxaca
1516 West Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ 85007
If you are unable to attend, you may contribute online at
http://russellpearce.com/donate/
Or send checks to:
Pearce for Arizona
1247 E. Inca Street
Mesa, AZ 85203
Maximum contribution is $424.00 for individuals,
$848.00 for married couples.
PAC checks no longer accepted.
Paid for by Pearce for Arizona
UPDATE: Macayo's just e-mailed the following statement from CEO and Second Generation Owner, Sharisse Johnson:
For over 65 years, Macayo's and the Johnson family have been committed to offering great food and exceptional service to anyone regardless of faith, color and nationality. Our family owned business has influenced the growth of our state over the past 65 years through our support of countless community organizations and initiatives and our commitment to the well-being of more 1,000 employees.
Due to a larger crown than expected, the event will no longer be held at Macayo's so we may ensure a quality experience and safe environment for our guests and team members.
Also, check out the latest post -- Pearce tried to take his hate hootenanny to Central High, but got booted from there, too. Heh.
