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Utah Latino groups urge boycott of stores, banks in protest of illegal immigration bills

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By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, March 10 2011 7:13 p.m. MST

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Jose Gutierrez, president of the Utah Hispanic Latino Coalition, speaks at the Capitol.

Brian Nicholson, Brian Nicholson, El Observador d

Summary

Several Latino groups are calling on their community to not shop at any Utah stores for two weeks in protest of an enforcement-only illegal immigration bill.

More Coverage
  • 2011 Utah Legislature ends

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SALT LAKE CITY — Several Latino groups are calling on their community to not shop at any Utah stores for two weeks in protest of an enforcement-only illegal immigration bill.

"We are not going to buy anything for 15 days," Jose Gutierrez, president of the Utah Hispanic Latino Coalition, said Thursday.

The boycott is planned for March 14 to March 28. In addition, he called on Latinos to withdraw their money from banks during that period "to show we make a difference" in the state's economy.

"We are showing you we are important," Guiterrez said.

Speaking in the Capitol rotunda, the groups urged Gov. Gary Herbert to veto HB497.

"We feel we need to do something to attract attention to the fact that we're unhappy and an integral part of this state," said Archie Archuleta, Utah La Raza chairman.

Archuleta said he didn't know how many people would participate, but more than 150 attended a meeting this week to organize the boycott. Word also is spreading via e-mail, he said.

Mexican nationals and immigrants own 1,834 businesses in Utah accounting for $227 million in annual sales, according to a recent letter several local economists distributed through the Salt Lake Chamber. Mexican immigrants own property valued at $984 million and have an estimated purchasing power exceeding $1 billion.

HB497 requires police to check the immigration status of people they arrest for felonies and serious misdemeanors. Officers may check the status of those suspected of less serious misdemeanors.

Also in the Capitol on Thursday, about 100 people opposed to HB116 were staged their own rally. They want Herbert to veto the bill that would create a Utah guest worker program for illegal immigrants.

"We think it's an embarrassment to our state to have our name on this bill," said Brandon Beckham, a Republican state delegate from Orem.

Beckham said the measure violates Herbert's own six principles for illegal immigration reform, which include respect for the law and fairness. "Rewarding criminal activity is not respect for the law in any sense of the word," he said.

The governor, he said, took an oath to protect and defend the Utah and U.S. constitutions.

"We want you to honor your oath of office," Beckham said.

e-mail: romboy@desnews.com

Related Stories
  • 2011 Utah Legislature ends

  • 'Utah Solution' to be put to test

  • Immigrant family 'lives in shadows'

Featured Comments

See all 57 comments »
J. Adams
Sandy, UT

Hey, here's an update... if you are illegal you are not relevant to Utah. You have no legal rights. You don't count as a citizen of Utah. Take your money out of the bank and use it to go home to wherever you came from.

  • 6:28 p.m. March 10, 2011
  • Top comment
jim l
West Jordan, UT

During the boycott, please do not use the emergency room for your free healthcare, unless you have insurance to pay for it. Please dont send your children to public schools unless you have been paying your fair share of taxes. Please dont go to the More..

  • 6:31 p.m. March 10, 2011
  • Top comment
Fitness Freak
Salt Lake City, UT

Empty threats!

I live all around illegals (and some LEGAL immigrants), so I know: illegal immigrants DO NOT put their money in banks (they're continually worried that they'll be deported, and they would have to leave their money behind!) More..

  • 7:26 p.m. March 10, 2011
  • Top comment
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About the Author
Dennis Romboy

Dennis Romboy

Dennis Romboy is a reporter for Deseret News where for the past 20 years he has covered a variety of beats including state and local government, human services and the 2002 Olympics. He spent six years as a special more ..

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