Statement by UFCW Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin

PHOENIX, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement by UFCW Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin is in response to Tuesday's clumsy but coordinated effort by several Republican candidates to divert attention away from Arizona's unemployment rate and other issues that directly impact voters, so that they can continue to talk about a piece of legislation that has largely been declared unconstitutional.

STATEMENT BY JIM MCLAUGHLIN

There is no question that both the membership and leadership of UFCW Local 99 here in Arizona want our nation's borders secure and our state to prosper.

But when the toxic wing of Arizona's political leadership pushed through SB1070, border security was not their objective.

Governor Jan Brewer even said so during a television interview. Speaking to KTVK-TV Brewer said that SB 1070, "…doesn't have anything to do with border security." [Source: Brewer interview on KTVK-TV  April 30, 2010]

So the national backlash against what the Arizona Legislature did should not be a surprise to anyone except those who peddle political fear. Despite their rhetoric about securing our borders, it was clear that the legislation was designed to launch a new wave of political fear mongering, even if the rights of American citizens were put at risk.

Nationally, the protest against what Arizona has done is strong and getting stronger and including calls to boycott Arizona. But those of us who live here in Arizona have a unique responsibility and duty.

Despite everything that others may do to help Arizona's political leaders see how very wrong they have been, only those of us who live and work here in Arizona have the power to change our political leadership.

UFCW Local 99 is focused on doing the one thing that can ensure Arizona is no longer a national punch line: defeat elected officials who have nothing to offer our state but fear and replace them with individuals who can lead us with strength and decency no matter their political affiliation.

* The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 (UFCW) is the largest private sector employees union in the state of Arizona.

SOURCE UFCW Local 99