Obama cites Phoenix 'Los Suns' protest

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WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday referenced a move by the owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA team to protest a controversial Arizona immigration law.

Speaking at a White House Rose Garden event observing Cinco de Mayo, Obama reiterated his opposition to the Arizona measure and acknowledged a move by Suns owner Robert Sarver to both mark the holiday and lodge a protest by having players wear uniforms identifying themselves as "Los Suns," ABC News reported.

Sarver was set to roll out the uniforms for the Suns' Wednesday night contest against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

"I know that a lot of you would rather be watching tonight's game," Obama said. "The Spurs against Los Suns from Phoenix."

Later in his remarks, Obama admitted the U.S. immigration system "is broken" and that Americans "are right to be frustrated," but warned that Arizona's law "undermine(s) fundamental principles" because it encourages the use of racial profiling to single out people to be stopped, ABC reported.

The "Los Suns" protest counts Phoenix guard Steve Nash and former NBA star Charles Barkley among its supporters, while conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh and Arizona Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth have blasted it.