Phoenix Business Journal

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is upset with two federal agencies that canceled Arizona meetings because of the state’s new immigration law.

Giffords – who represents Tucson, Tombstone and Sierra Vista – is writing groups, cities and federal agencies asking them to reconsider boycotts of the state.

The Tucson congresswoman criticized the U.S. Department of Education for its cancelation of an October convention in Tucson after Mexican officials involved in the event said they would not come to Arizona. The meetings have been moved to Minnesota. Giffords also said a U.S. Border Patrol conference last month was nixed because an agency official did not want meetings held in Prescott.

“It is very troubling when the federal government becomes involved in a boycott against our state,” said Giffords in a statement. “Although I personally disagree with the immigration law, it came about because of growing frustration over the federal government’s unwillingness to secure the border. The federal government’s participation in this boycott only adds to that frustration.”

Giffords has written to 42 cities and organizations asking they reverse plans to boycott Arizona saying it hurts Hispanic and other rank-and-file workers.

Giffords office provided a list of the groups and cities she has written asking them to undo Arizona boycotts. They include:

* Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

* American Anthropology Association

* American Educational Research Association

* American Immigration Lawyers Association

* Asian-American Justice Center

* Center for Community Change

* City of Austin, Texas

* City of Berkeley, Calif.

* City of Bloomington, Ind.

* City of Boston, Mass.

* City of Boulder, Colo.

* City of Burlington, Vt.

* City of Columbus, Ohio

* City of El Paso, Texas

* City of Gallup, NM

* City of Hartford, Conn.

* City of Los Angeles, Calif.

* City of Oakland, Calif.

* City of Richmond, Calif.

* City of Sacramento, Calif.

* City of San Diego, Calif.

* City of San Francisco, Calif.

* City of San Pablo, Calif.

* City of Santa Monica, Calif.

* City of Seattle, Wash.

* City of St. Paul, Minn.

* City of West Hollywood, Calif.

* Cook County, Ill.

* L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

* Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights

* League of United Latin American Citizens

* Major League Baseball Players Association

* NAACP

* National Association of Black Accountants

* National Center for Higher Education

* National Minority Suppliers Development Council, Inc.

* National Puerto Rican Coalition

* National Urban League

* Santa Monica College District Board of Trustees

* Sebayit Tours & Newton-Thoth Inc.

* Sociologists Without Borders

* World Boxing Council