For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Under Pressure from Local Boycott, Jimmy Johns Franchise Condemns AZ Law SB1070, Calls for Just and Humane Immigration Reform
In a victory for the local immigrant rights movement, Boycott Arizona-Minnesota! has succeeded in pressuring a local Jimmy John’s franchise to publicly denounce the controversial Arizona immigration law SB1070, and call for a just and humane comprehensive immigration reform.
In a statement released today, MikLin Enterprises president, and owner of nine local Jimmy John’s branches, Michael Mulligan writes:
To Whom It May Concern:MikLin Enterprises, Inc. is a local family owned Jimmy John’s franchisee. We employ nearly 200 people without regard to race, gender, national origin or sexual preference. We reject Arizona’s SB1070 and urge the federal government to repeal this misguided law. We support the passage of just and humane comprehensive immigration reform.”
Michael L. Mulligan
President, MikLin Enterprises, Inc
Since June, Boycott Arizona-Minnesota! has mounted an informational picketing campaign to raise public awareness about Jimmy John’s financial contributions to anti-immigrant Arizona politicians like Joe Arpaio and John McCain, who are staunch supporters of SB1070, by focusing on the chain’s Minneapolis franchise, MikLin Enterprises, Inc.
After a month of weekly pickets, MikLin president Michael Mulligan finally caved to their demands and sign the statement.
Boycott Arizona-Minnesota organizer Ana Vasquez said of their success:
This victory adds pressure to Jimmy John’s corporate to stop giving money to controversial anti-immigrant demagogues, and demonstrates the power and effectiveness of grassroots boycotts. It sends a clear message to businesses and politicians that we will not tolerate racist attacks on the immigrant community in Minnesota, or anywhere in this country!
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