Peaceful protest outside Staples Center

[truebluefan]

Several dozen people waving signs and American flags gathered outside Staples Center before the Lakers-Phoenix Suns game in a protest over Lakers coach Phil Jackson ‘s refusal to criticize Arizona’s new anti-immigration law, Los Angeles police said Monday.

The protest was peaceful and there were no arrests, Officer Karen Rayner said.

Among those who came were 15 Los Angeles High School students brought by their teacher, Rodney Lusain. Lusain told the Los Angeles Times he wanted his students “to see the power of protest.”

Jackson was asked two weeks ago about a plan by the Phoenix Suns to wear their Los Suns jerseys during a playoff game on May 5, Cinco de Mayo. The immigration law spurred the Suns’ decision to use the jerseys to honor Arizona’s Latino community.

“Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard when the legislators said that ‘we just took United States immigration law and adapted it to our state?”’ Jackson responded.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ais.oDq8cYgXbIz1H8EB6ty8vLYF?slug=ap-philjackson-immigration

 

[Shapecity]

“I have respect for those who oppose the new Arizona immigration law, but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies,” Jackson said in a statement issued Monday.