Los Angeles Approves Measure To Boycott Arizona Over Immigration Law

In an effort to boycott Arizona’s new immigration law, the Los Angeles City Council overwhelmingly approved sanctions May 12 that will bar the city from conducting business with the Grand Canyon State.

The resolution, which was approved by a 13-1 margin, could affect contracts worth as much as $52 million, although Councilwoman Janice Hahn indicated that only about 15 percent of those deals will be included in the boycott, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

She noted that the measure will not include contracts related to the airport, the city’s Department of Water and nuclear energy agreements. However, the boycott may affect waste management and engineering contracts. Hahn added that the majority of those deals will now go to California suppliers.

Although other cities have passed resolutions to boycott business deals with Arizona, Los Angeles is the largest metropolitan area to pass official sanctions.

"I find it really interesting that we have people out there that are attempting a boycott in favor of illegal actions in Arizona," said Governor Jan Brewer, who signed the immigration bill into law last month. "That to me is just unbelievable."

Meanwhile, officials with the city of Phoenix released a report estimating that the area is on pace to lose more than $90 million in hotel and convention business over the next five years due to similar boycotts, The Washington Post reports.