NOT JUST A GAME: MAPA - "The Boycott is for Real"

HERMANDAD MEXICANA LATINOAMERICANA

MEXICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL ASSOCIATION

                                              

Press Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2011

Contact Person:  Nativo Lopez

(714) 423-4800

NOT JUST A GAME – THE BOYCOTT IS FOR REAL

HERMANDAD AND MAPA JOIN COMITES EN DEFENSA DEL BARRIO

MLB COMMISSIONER ALLAN H. “BUD” SELIG DENOUNCED

Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana and the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) declare their unconditional support of Los Comites en Defensa del Barrio (Committees in Defense of the Barrio) and the call for a complete boycott of the Major League Baseball All-Stars Game to commence July 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Let it be known far and wide that a growing number of organizations throughout the country are following the direction of Los Comites en Defensa del Barrio, which has taken the lead in organizing the resistance to the increased repression and persecution of our families in the state of Arizona,” declared Nativo Lopez, National President of Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana and MAPA.  He added, “We will not be dissuaded by political personalities, media commentators, and sports pundits or authors, and even some immigrant advocates, to align ourselves with a “boycott-lite” approach and only call on players and sympathizers to bear white ribbons in protest of SB1070 and the policies of Governor Jan Brewer.  This would be tantamount to calling off the boycott of all things and events in Arizona until SB1070 is repealed, and this would be a betrayal to all the families and workers who are bearing the brunt of the repression on a daily basis.”

Lopez emphasized that the organizations on the ground and on the front-lines of the movement to repeal SB1070 and confront the daily persecution of workers and their families should be recognized and heeded, and not the politicians, political commentators, or even advocates from afar who have good distance from the repression.

Los Comites en Defensa del Barrio are convening a press conference today and tomorrow to continue their activities to encourage support for the MLB All-Stars Game boycott and to denounce collusion between Arizona Senator Russell Pearce (legislative author of SB1070) and the private prison industry and its lobbying arm, American Legislative Exchange Council.

                                                                        xxxxxxxxxxx

Nativo V. Lopez

National President

Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana

Mexican American Political Association

310 N. Soto Street

Los Angeles, CA 90033

(714)541-0250

nativolopez@sbcglobal.net

nativolopez@yahoo.com