Los Angeles city council boycott sends Arizona companies out of luck under
According to official reports, Arizona companies wanting to do business with the city of Los Angeles are out of luck under a city council-passed boycott.
The measure approved by LA City Council members 13-1 Wednesday bans future contracts with companies in Arizona along with most travel to that state by city officials. The boycott resolution still needs the signature of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was in Washington Thursday.
It was also reported that the measure is in response to Arizona's new law targeting illegal immigrants.
The Los Angeles Times quoted Councilman Ed Reyes as saying, "Los Angeles is the second-largest city in this country, an immigrant city, an international city. It needs to have its voice heard. As an American, I cannot go to Arizona today without a passport. If I come across an officer who's having a bad day and feels that the picture on my ID is not me, I can be … deported, no questions asked. That is not American."
The Times also said that Councilman Greig Smith, who cast the lone vote against the boycott, had no comment afterward.
The council also requested the city attorney's office go over the city's $58 million in existing contracts with Arizona companies to see if any can be canceled.
It was also reported that under the travel ban, it will take "special circumstances" to allow any city representatives to visit Arizona. (With Inputs from Agencies)