Hall and Oates say no to Arizona immigration law and concert
The pop duo Hall and Oates have cancelled a July 2 concert in Phoenix to protest the new Arizona immigration law.
Daryl Hall, left, and and John Oates arrive at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, in Los Angeles. Hall and Oates have cancelled a July 2 concert in Phoenix in protest of the new Arizona immigration law.
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Phoenix
Daryl Hall and John Oates announced Monday that they are canceling a July 2 concert in Phoenix because of Arizona's new immigration law.
Their manager, Jonathan Wolfson, told The Associated Press from Los Angeles that the rock duo are taking a stand and will not play after an Arizona Diamondbacks home game at Chase Field.
"I can emphatically confirm that Daryl Hall and John Oates are not playing Phoenix, Arizona, on July 2 because of their personal stance against the immigration law," Wolfson said.
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The law requires that police conducting traffic stops or questioning people about possible legal violations ask them about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that they're in the country illegally. Reasonable suspicion is not defined.
The law also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally or to impede traffic while hiring day laborers, regardless of the worker's immigration status. It would become a crime for illegal immigrants to solicit work.
Critics contend the law could lead to racial profiling of Hispanics.
Hall and Oates issued a statement through Wolfson saying they stand in solidarity with the music community in boycotting Arizona at this time.
Wolfson emphasized the decision by Hall and Oates has nothing to do with the management of the Diamondbacks.
Diamondbacks president and chief executive Derrick Hall issued a statement saying the team understands the duo's decision.
"The cancellation of this post-game concert is another example of how controversial this issue is," Derrick Hall said.
Wolfson said he hopes the duo can someday play Arizona. "At this time it doesn't look likely," Wolfson said.
Hall and Oates are not the first group to stay away from Arizona because of Senate Bill 1070.
The Grammy Award-winning rock band Los Lobos canceled an upcoming concert in Arizona to protest the state's immigration law.
The group released a written statement saying they feel the law will "inevitably lead to unfair racial profiling and possible abuse of people who just happen to look Latino."
IN PICTURES: The US/Mexico border
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