Latino stars raise profile of the Arizona anti-Latino law

If the embed doesn't work on this video, it's a report on Shakira's visit to Phoenix, complete with a sleazy-looking white legislator telling the reporter that the "foreign singer" should "take it back to your own country." If that fool had any Latino supporters in his district, he just lost them.

One of the reporters knows enough to be impressed at the 22 cameras covering her and suggest that would likely attract a lot of impact. He at least knows that she does "humanitarian work in Latin America". What he doesn't seem to realize that Latin American heads of government are happy to meet with her on her humanitarian projects. I've heard she's the most popular female singer in the world, and I believe her "Hips Don't Lie" song still tops the records for sales of a single song. She has also served as a Youth Ambassador for the United Nations.

Apparently the Republican Governor of Arizona couldn't find time to meet with her, though the mayor and police chief of Phoenix did.

I actually think that her making it a point to come to Arizona and speaking out against the law - and doing it in a shrewd way, invoking the American Constitution in a way that anyone who's not a hardcore Republican can understand - will do a lot to call more attention to this legal atrocity in Latin America, especially. Plus, she appeared on American Idol Thursday evening. Shakira is skilled and experienced at generating publicity for causes she supports, and some of her success is illustrated by the press coverage:

Shakira se une a lucha contra ley de Arizona El Universal (Mexico) 28.04.10;

Shakira heads to Arizona to back immigrant rights Malaysian Insider 04/28/10

Shakira anger at immigration law The Independent (Britain) 04/30/10

Shakira Protests Anti-Immigrant Law New Kerala (India) 04/28/10

Shakira con los inmigrantes de Arizona El País (Spain) 30.04.2010

Shakira in Arizona debate Straits Times (Singapore)

Stephen Lemons, Shakira Meets with Phil Gordon, Blasts SB 1070, Visits Carl Hayden Youth Center Phoenix New Times 04/29/10

Shakira heads to Arizona to back immigrant rights China Daily 28.04.10

Scott Wong and Lily Leung, Shakira condemns Arizona's immigration law Arizona Republic 04/29/10:

Latina pop star Shakira condemned Arizona's new law targeting illegal immigration, saying it promotes discrimination and robs Latinos of human dignity.

Visiting Phoenix City Hall on Thursday, the Colombian-born entertainer told more than 100 members of the media: "I'm in opposition to this law because it is a violation of human and civil rights. It goes against all human dignity, against the principles of most Americans I know.

"As a person and Latina who believes in equal opportunities and who believes that this country has values that I have always admired and defended," she added, "I'm worried about the impact that implementation of this law will have on hard working Latinos."

Shakira was joined by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and local Hispanic leaders.

"I'm not an expert on the Constitution but I know the constitution exists for a reason," she said. "It exists to protect human beings, to protect the rights of people living in a nation, with or without documents. We're talking about human beings here." ...

Shakira arrived at the center to speak against the new legislation. But she also went to the resource center to listen.

The Colombian-born musician gave the stage to immigrant women and students to share the potential impact the new law would have on their lives.

Pablo Montero, one of Mexico's most popular singers and a telenovela star, also spoke publicly about the law: Pablo Montero, en contra de la Ley Arizona El Universal 29.04.10, describing it as racist.

Other stars speaking out against SB1070 include Paulina Rubio (Paulina se pronuncia contra la ley antiinmigrante El Universal 29.04.10) and Ricky Martin (Ricky Martin critica ley de Arizona La Opinión Ricky critica en los Billboard Ley de Arizona El Universal 29.04.10)

This CNN site has video of an interview with Shakira, followed by Linda Ronstadt, also opposing SB1070.

Tags: comprehensive immigration reform, shakira, shakira mebarak