Los Suns

Fans tuning in to watch Phoenix duel San Antonio in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal playoffs tonight will not be watching the Spurs and the Suns, but the Spurs and “Los Suns”. In a bold move, Suns owner Robert Sarver took a political stance to protest Arizona’s extremely controversial new immigration law, Senate Bill 1020.

The bill allows police officers to question a person’s proof of citizenship if there’s a “reasonable suspicion” that they are illegal immigrants, then prosecute and deport them. Sarver announced that tonight, on Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, his team will be donning “Los Suns” jerseys to “honor our Latino community and diversity of our League, the State of Arizona, and our nation…”

I understand that illegal immigration is a problem, but does that justify violating citizens’ equal rights and the forthcoming racial profiling that will surface from the new bill? As an Asian American, I would also be livid if I was constantly harassed about my US status. I commend Sarver for remaining tenacious about the rights of the people, and their fans, during a time of open contestation, and all while battling a longtime, historic rivalry. Those three small letters represent a much bigger issue. By the way…Happy Cinco do Mayo.