MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Opponents of Alabama's stringent immigration law?said their next phase of attack?will include a new legal challenge and a "public education" campaign targeting the state's tourism and auto industries.
Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said that, since efforts to appeal to lawmakers have been met with indifference, groups are attempting to up the ante in their effort to get the law repealed or greatly modified.
"Our message to the Legislature is simple. If we can't appeal to your humanity, we then will appeal to your pocketbooks," Henderson said in a conference call with reporters.
Participants in the call included representatives from the Southern Poverty Law Center and the United Auto Workers. Lawmakers this month approved revisions to the state's immigration law instead of repealing it as opponents wanted.?
Henderson said there will be "targeted advertising" to discourage tourists and groups from choosing Alabama for their vacations and conferences
"Alabama is not a state at this time that is worthy ... of your contributions and support," Henderson said.
Henderson said the actions are not a boycott against the state.
"However, we strongly believe only through a gradual escalation of pressure on key economic sectors of Alabama can we achieve the policy changes our coalition and most Alabama citizens would support,"?? Henderson said.
Cindy Estrada, a national vice president for the United Auto Workers, said they will display banners and leaflets outside 70 Hyundai dealerships around the country "to let Hyundai's customers know that they did not stand against HB 56 or HB658 and by its silence it endorses a law that hurts its large and loyal Latino customer base."
Estrada said the group will not be picketing the dealerships. ?However, Estrada said the slogans that will be displayed on banners outside dealerships include, "Stand Up Against Hate."
Estrada said they hope to convince Hyundai and other businesses to join them in calling for the law's repeal.
Mary Bauer, legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said she anticipates a legal challenge against one of the new provisions of the state's immigration law. ?Lawmakers added a provision this year that requires the Department of Homeland Security to post a quarterly report? of suspected undocumented immigrants who have appeared in court for any reason and the outcome of their cases.
"That provision is nothing more than an attempt to bully and intimidate people and it will encourage vigilantism," Bauer said.?
Bauer has called the provision a "Scarlet Letter" list.?
Gov. Robert Bentley signed the immigration revisions into law this month. A Bentley spokeswoman called the groups' efforts "misguided.?
"Alabama's immigration law seeks to ensure that those who live and work in the state do so legally. There is nothing unkind or unjust about that. It is misguided for anyone to advocate boycotting Alabama simply because the state has taken action to ensure that federal immigration laws are upheld. Some people want us to turn a blind eye to the issue of illegal immigration. We will not do so," Bentley Press Secretary?Jennifer Ardis said.?
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