Red-faced Boston city councilors who boldly voted to shun the state of Arizona over its new immigration crackdown are now showing signs of boycotter's regret.The grandstanding pols kept a low profile when the target of their boycott came to their city on Saturday. Some acknowledged taking a pass on the much-hyped protest of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer for weekend vacations and other engagements - while one councilor even admitted the embargo was ill-conceived.
The non-binding measure, sponsored by Council President Michael Ross and Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, calls on city officials "not to participate in any business activities substantially connected with the State of Arizona and municipalities in Arizona."
"If it had to be done all over again, there'd probably be more thought put into it and perhaps a hearing," said Councilor John Tobin of West Roxbury. "It was an emotional issue and an emotional time. I think the sponsors were getting a lot of pressure to say something, to file something."
Tobin's own resolve broke down quickly. He had a chance to go to an Arizona Diamondbacks game at Fenway Park [map] last month.
"I asked the bill's co-sponsors for permission," he said. They said OK. Tobin went to the ballgame.
Arroyo has not returned repeated calls since last week. Ross downplayed the strictness of the measure yesterday.
"I wouldn't refer to it as a boycott. It was a number of things. It was a statement," said Ross, who was away for the weekend as the protest took place.
The measure passed with great fanfare. Mayor Thomas M. Menino vowed to scrutinize contracts with Arizona firms. But Menino administration officials have failed to respond when asked if any firms have been singled out for action.
Councilors have privately expressed regret, saying they've been verbally accosted by angry constituents and taken aback by the level of national attention the boycott brought.
The Arizona law - since targeted by an Obama administration lawsuit on constitutional grounds - lets police inquire about residency status in the course of enforcing other laws, and requires immigrants to carry their naturalization documents.
The ANSWER Coalition, which calls the law "racist" and Brewer "bigoted," only drew about 350 people to their Saturday protest - not the thousands they had predicted. Many of those that did attend were bused in from out-of-state, organizers reported.