S.F. attorney calls for Ariz. boycott

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 (UPI) -- San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera is calling for a boycott of Arizona following enactment of tough legislation aimed at illegal immigrants.

Herrera, the son of a Latin American immigrant, called Arizona's new measure -- which requires anyone stopped by police to be able to prove they are in the country legally - "draconian," KNTV, San Jose, Calif., reported.

"Just as it did two decades ago when it refused to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Arizona has again chosen to isolate itself from the rest of the nation," Herrera said in a statement. "Our most appropriate response is to assure that their isolation is tangible rather than merely symbolic.

"San Francisco should lead the way in adopting and aggressively pursuing a sweeping boycott of Arizona and Arizona-based businesses until this unjust law is repealed or invalidated."

Herrera said his office would help San Francisco city departments and commissions pursue all contracts where possible and is ready to assist in any legal challenges "in whatever way it can."

His call for a boycott came as San Francisco Supervisor David Campos led a protest at City Hall against Arizona's immigration law.

"I think as a city we have a responsibility to make sure we don't do business with entities like the state of Arizona that are taking steps that are essentially violating and call for violation of the basic rights of the constitution," Campos said.