A group of Arizona and California truck drivers are boycotting in protest of a new anti-illegal immigration bill that was signed into law Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer
, according to reports by the Medill News Service. Jesus Serrano, the driver leading the protest effort, told the publication he had about 70 drivers on board for the five-day boycott that would start within 48 hours of the bill's signing.
Senate Bill 1070 establishes a statewide policy to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the U.S.
Serrano, an owner-operator who hauls Mexican-grown produce from Arizona to Los Angeles, was among other protesters concerned about racial profiling, the Medill News Service reported. The law allows law enforcement to determine the immigration status of a person if they have "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the U.S. illegally.
"For weeks, this legislation has been the subject of vigorous debate and intense criticism," said Gov. Brewer, in a statement. "My decision to sign it was by no means made lightly. I have listened patiently to both sides.
"Border-related violence and crime due to illegal immigration are critically important issues to the people of our state, to my Administration and to me, as your Governor and as a citizen."
After the Arizona House passed the bill last week, Serrano decided to try to organize drivers and plan a boycott via CB radios, cell phones and at truckstops, Serrano told the Medill News Service.
While Collin Stewart, chairman of the Arizona Trucking Association told the news service the boycott wouldn't have a large impact on distribution, Jaime Chamberlain, who owns two Arizona-based distribution businesses, said the effort could affect freight rates.
, according to reports by the Medill News Service. Jesus Serrano, the driver leading the protest effort, told the publication he had about 70 drivers on board for the five-day boycott that would start within 48 hours of the bill's signing.
Senate Bill 1070 establishes a statewide policy to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the U.S.
Serrano, an owner-operator who hauls Mexican-grown produce from Arizona to Los Angeles, was among other protesters concerned about racial profiling, the Medill News Service reported. The law allows law enforcement to determine the immigration status of a person if they have "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the U.S. illegally.
"For weeks, this legislation has been the subject of vigorous debate and intense criticism," said Gov. Brewer, in a statement. "My decision to sign it was by no means made lightly. I have listened patiently to both sides.
"Border-related violence and crime due to illegal immigration are critically important issues to the people of our state, to my Administration and to me, as your Governor and as a citizen."
After the Arizona House passed the bill last week, Serrano decided to try to organize drivers and plan a boycott via CB radios, cell phones and at truckstops, Serrano told the Medill News Service.
While Collin Stewart, chairman of the Arizona Trucking Association told the news service the boycott wouldn't have a large impact on distribution, Jaime Chamberlain, who owns two Arizona-based distribution businesses, said the effort could affect freight rates.
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