President Barack Obama highlighted the Phoenix Suns’ decision to wear “Los Suns” jerseys in their playoff game tonight, a move the team said was meant to focus attention on a recently passed Arizona immigration law.
Steve Nash and his Suns teammates will wear the jerseys in their National Basketball Association playoff game in Phoenix against the San Antonio Spurs.
At the White House, the president drew applause from a crowd in the Rose Garden for a Cinco de Mayo reception.
“I know that a lot of you would rather be watching tonight’s game -- the Spurs against ‘Los Suns’ from Phoenix,” Obama said.
Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver called the immigration law “flawed” and team general manager Steve Kerr told the Arizona Republic that the law “rings up images of Nazi Germany.”
Wearing the jerseys is “a way for our team and our organization to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league,” Sarver said in a statement released yesterday by the team.
About 34 percent of Phoenix residents were of Hispanic or Latino origin at the time of the 2000 U.S. census, the last time such a measurement was made.
A law signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on April 23 compels police to investigate the status of anyone they suspect of being in the U.S. illegally.
CriticismThe measure has been criticized by Latino and civil rights groups, and there have been calls for athletes to boycott sports events in Arizona.
“However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question,” Sarver said.
The National Basketball Players Association said in a statement yesterday that the Arizona immigration law is “disappointing and disturbing” and called for its repeal or modification. The players’ union also praised the Suns.“We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers,” said the statement by NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter.
The Suns wore the jerseys twice during the regular season and also in past campaigns. This will be the first time they have appeared in them during the playoffs.
The Suns lead the San Antonio Spurs 1-0 in the second-round series after a 111-102 win in the opening game. Games 3 and 4 will be in San Antonio.
Last week, the Major League Baseball Players Association also criticized the Arizona law and said the union “will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.”software homework
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