A self-proclaimed Sanctuary City, San Francisco has long been a safe haven for illegal immigrants: They can live, work, and even get a government I.D. without fear of deportation.
Now, San Francisco is taking action to punish Arizona for cracking down on illegal aliens.
Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered an immediate ban on all non-essential travel there for city workers, and the Board of Supervisors has taken the first step toward an economic boycott: No contracts, no purchasing, and no conferences — like the one in Scottsdale next weekend for members of the the San Francisco Housing Authority.
“We as San Franciscans need to send a very clear message that this kind of discriminatory law is not going to be tolerated,”
says San Francisco Supervisor David Campos.
Similar sanctions are being considered by city leaders in Los Angeles, and there’s a proposal in Sacramento to cancel state contracts with Arizona businesses until the law is repealed. Thousands of California prisoners are currently housed in Arizona, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to send more. He made it clear he does not want *that* contract threatened.
In San Francisco, department heads — before taking further action — are studying whether sanctions could backfire.
“One of the companies we do business with for the Jobs Now program that accepts and processes payments is in Arizona. So if we move injudiciously, if we don’t move prudently and smartly and effectively, we could be looking at a situation where 2,500 San Franciscans would lose their jobs,” says city spokesman, Tony Winnicker.
San Francisco business interests are also worried about a boycott backlash. “Would Arizona and other states that are more conservative than San Francisco retaliate, and stop sending conventions to San Francisco? Certainly, in a recession, we don’t want any retaliation,” says Kevin Westlye with the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.
But some city leaders want to broaden the attack, and are even calling on professional and collegiate sports organizations… Not to schedule events like the Superbowl, and All-Star games in the Grand Canyon State while this law is in effect.