Hispanic Groups Revive Push for All-Star Game Boycott

Protestors outside AT&T Park join in the "National Day of Action Against SB1070" by picketing the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants baseball game Saturday, May 29, 2010, in San Francisco. The protest was held in support of the Boycott Arizona campaign.(AP)

With Major League Baseball's All-Star Game less than two weeks away, Hispanic groups outraged over Arizona's attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants are pressing players and fans to sit this one out.

Even though the state's controversial immigration law has been put on hold by the federal courts, opponents say a boycott is still a good idea.

"We just encourage everyone who opposes racism and discrimination, think about children separated from families, to come out and stand in solidarity with all the children," boycott organizer Anayanse Garza told MyFox Phoenix.

Arizona's crackdown, which would allow police officers to check the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally, drew national attention when it was first signed into law in April 2010. Critics said it would lead to unconstitutional racial profiling while supporters argued the state is helping federal authorities who aren't doing their job in enforcing immigration law at the border.

But in July 2010, a U.S. district judge granted the Obama administration's request to block the most controversial parts of the law. Other parts took effect, such as a ban on obstructing traffic while seeking or offering day-labor services on streets. And the law has served as a model for similar efforts in other states.

The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the law at some point.

Hispanic groups began protesting the All-Star Game last year, pressing baseball commissioner Bud Selig to move the event from Phoenix. But after that failed, protestors are now focusing on a boycott.

Even though the Arizona law is in limbo, boycott organizers believes their protest will still resonate with players and fans alike.

"A lot of them will feel in their heart they are doing the right thing by not coming to Arizona and breaking the boycott," boycott organizer Luis Osorio told MyFox Phoenix.

The Diamondbacks don't believe fans will stay away from the game because of the protest.

"The timing of this law being on hold right now is good of the game and us," said Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall. "Obviously there's a lot of noise around that and there should have been, but in our opinion you really should not mix sports baseball teams and politics."